Derby and Portsmouth chasing Premier League stars as Charlton striker wins plaudits

Nathan Jones may still be awaiting his first win as Charlton Athletic manager but back-to-back draws have gone some way to stopping the rot at The Valley.

Addicks supporters will now hope that their side can build some form and look for three points with a series of tough fixtures against Portsmouth, Derby County and Northampton Town on the horizon.

Pompey and the Rams feature alongside Charlton in your Monday evening League One round-up.

Derby County to sign former Premier League star

Derby County are on the verge of signing former Crystal Palace and Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle to help add firepower to their promotion push.

The deal is just waiting for approval from the EFL with the 34-year-old set to join the Rams as a free agent. Gayle left Championship side Stoke City in February.

Derby sit second in the league but talisman James Collins has been ruled out 'for months' with a serious knee injury. Paul Warne said: "We've done all the paperwork and the EFL are working with us to try and make it happen.

"I've met the kid and he has a couple of League One clubs chasing him. We are doing everything we can to get him in the building."

Charlton star labelled as 'top bloke'

Charlton striker Freddie Ladapo was hailed online for an act of kindness while travelling back to London with the Addicks squad from Saturday's 3-3 draw with Bolton Wanderers.

Nathan Jones made it two games unbeaten with a second successive draw, with Ladapo starting the game but not finding himself on the scoresheet. The 31-year-old did bag a fantastic strike against Lincoln City last week.

Ladapo is on loan at The Valley from Ipswich Town and bumped into supporters of the Tractor Boys, on their way back from an away day win at Swansea City. The talisman climbed off the team bus to greet supporters from his parent club and pose for photos with young fans.

The moment was shared by X account Away Ends with users quick to praise a 'top bloke' and 'top fella'. One user said: "I hope every single one of them stopped and thanked him for being one of the heroes that turned this club around. Although we’ve now moved beyond him, he deserves nothing but respect and admiration. Thank you for the memories Freddie."

Portsmouth linked with Brighton star

Portsmouth are looking to complete the signing of Brighton midfielder Marc Leonard this summer, according to Football Transfers.

The 22-year-old broke through at the Hearts academy in Scotland before moving to the Seagulls as a teenager in 2018. Leonard only had two first-team appearances for Brighton, having been sent on two separate loan spells to Northampton Town.

The player has impressed in in League Two and League One and is believed to be top of Pompey's shopping list come the end of the season, with still plenty of potential to improve. The League One leaders are expected to face competition for the Glaswegian once the window opens.