Ex Newcastle United and Brentford stars training with Charlton Athletic

Two former Premier League stars are reported to be training with League One outfit Charlton Athletic as the Nathan Jones revolution continues at The Valley. The news has turned heads and piqued interest over potential contracts for the free agents in the near future.

The Addicks have turned the corner since former Southampton and Luton Town boss Jones was appointed manager in February, a win over Carlisle United on Saturday the latest success as the side is now unbeaten in seven.

It appears that Jones' work at Charlton has convinced some well-known stars to join the ranks, even if only to keep their performance ticking over by taking part in training sessions. Over the weekend, it had emerged that ex Newcastle United and Brighton winger Kanzenga LuaLua was working with the Addicks.

The 33-year-old represented the Magpies in the Premier League with a handful of appearances between 2008 and 2011, but never solidified his place in the top flight. LuaLua is best known for his eight years at Brighton, when the Seagulls were in the Championship, before moving on to Sunderland and then Luton Town. LuaLua played for Greek side Levadiakos last season.

Watch - Footballers Lives: Music to a club's ears

LuaLua worked with Jones while at Luton Town and was part of the squad that won League One in 2019. South London Press' Richard Cawley reported: "Not sure if changed over the weekend but Charlton Athletic were waiting to discover full extent of Kazenga LuaLua's contract situation as they weighed up a deal. Either is or was contracted to Levadiakos."

The second player is another familiar face in Tarique Fosu, who has been without a club since being released by Premier League outfit Brentford in July 2023. The midfielder only made one top flight appearance for the Bees and is a former Charlton Athletic star, having spent two years with the club and made 65 appearances between 2017 and 2019.

The news comes after the Addicks announced the signing of ex-Sunderland and Crystal Palace striker Connor Wickham as a free agent on March 8. Wickham signed a short-term contract to play for the club before the end of the season.

On taking the job as a manager rather than coach, Jones had hinted that he would be heavily involved in transfer action at the club. He explained: "It's not just my doing. Charlton told me what they want to do and evolve. That's the job of a manager and that appealed to me. If certain things on recruitment and environment need driving, that's the role of a manager. I've got more responsibilities than a quintessential head coach."