Curbishley ready to sign Cottee

Tony Cottee has been told he is surplus to requirements at Leicester City and is set to join newly promoted Charlton next week, writes Alan Nixon.

Tony Cottee has been told he is surplus to requirements at Leicester City and is set to join newly promoted Charlton next week, writes Alan Nixon.

The veteran striker, who applied unsuccessfully for the Leicester manager's position in the summer, is now wanted by the Charlton manager, Alan Curbishley, to bolster his injury-ravaged side. He is without several forwards and Cottee would be a cut-price capture to tide the Addicks through their latest return to the top flight.

The Preston manager, Davie Moyes, is trying sign the Celtic striker, Mark Burchill, on loan with a view to a £1.5m deal. Burchill is out of Celtic manager Martin O'Neill's plans at the moment, and could register for Preston in time to figure against Sheffield United today.