Town must sign loanee midfielder Chris Bart-Williams permanently by the end of the week if he is to play at Millwall on Saturday. The Blues had thought that the Charlton player's 93-day loan was up early next week, but the Football League have confirmed it actually ends on Friday.

Bart-Williams, 29, is understood to be keen to remain with Town and boss Joe Royle has repeatedly said that he wants the former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest man to stay: “Chris seems very positive about it. He is very happy here and is enjoying the fact that he is playing regular first team football.

"I have spoken to Charlton boss Alan Curbishley and he has no problem with it, but as always it's down to the financial side and that's something for the two chairmen to discuss.

"I have never denied that I would love to sign him and I would say I am hopeful of us being able to sort out some sort of deal - initially, at least, to the end of the season."

David Sheepshanks is in discussions with Charlton chairman Martin Simons with a view to thrashing out a deal.

Recently Joe Royle revealed that there is the “framework of a deal” with Charlton, which TWTD understands will be a free transfer but with the Addicks keen to renegotiate the top-up fees payable as part of the Hermann Hreidarsson and Matt Holland deals.

Hreidarsson moved to the Valley in March and Holland in June, both deals involving further cash for Town if Charlton, currently sixth in the league, successfully avoid relegation from the Premiership this season.

Under the agreements Town would receive £150,000 as part of the Holland deal and £100,000 from the Hreidarsson switch next summer. It is likely that these figures could be reduced if a deal is agreed for Bart-Williams.

The Blues are not allowed to take the former Orient trainee on a season-long loan as players over 24-years-old are prevented from loan spells of longer than 93 days by Football League rules.

The midfielder joined Charlton from Nottingham Forest, initially on loan, in December 2001 on a free transfer and is out of contract in the summer. He has played 16 games for Town and has scored two goals.

Joe Royle also wants to take loanee from Blackburn Alan Mahon to Portman Road permanently, the winger's loan ending in January. He has already successfully signed Shefki Kuqi permanently from Sheffield Wednesday.

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