Tabloid reports claim that Charlton's interest in Town skipper Matt Holland may be revived in the summer if the Blues fail to make a return the Premiership via the play-offs.
Addicks boss Alan Curbishley has long had an interest in Holland and talks were ongoing prior to Charlton's signing of Hermann Hreidarsson and Darren Ambrose's switch to Newcastle United. Those two deals brought in enough cash to pay the Blues' wages until the end of the season.
Should Town remain in Division One the club will need to reduce their wage bill and an exit for Holland, one of the Blues' higher earners, looks very much on the cards.
The Irish international was 29 on Friday and has said he is keen to play in the Premiership again at some stage of his career. With his family settled near Colchester a switch to a London club would probably appeal more than the chance to join Aston Villa did last summer.