Keith Peacock will play an important role in Charlton’s pursuit of a managerial successor to Alan Pardew.

The former Valley favourite, now an associate director, was brought into discussions with plc board members late on Saturday night and met with them again on Monday morning.

Peacock, 63, is likely to be influential in the choosing Pardew’s successor. Should the board decide to look inwardly then Peacock could front up a new managerial structure involving reserve team coach Mark Kinsella and ex-coach Mark Robson, now working at Gillingham.

Much will hinge on whether assistant manager Phil Parkinson, the former Colchester and Hull City boss, who has been placed in temporary charge, can breathe new life into the club’s ailing season.

The likelihood of former Valley favourite Alan Curbishley returning to a club he left two-and-a-half years ago, appears remote as he is involved in litigation with previous employers West Ham over contract compensation.

Since Curbishley’s departure in May, 2006, Charlton have hired and fired three managers in Iain Dowie, Les Reed and now Pardew who is set to receive £1 million for the remaining year of his contract.

Once his issues with West Ham are decided at a Premier League tribunal, Curbishley suggested that he would be seeking a return with a Premier League club.

He said: “I know I’m being linked with a return to Charlton because I was there for a long time time and have plenty of friends at the club. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.

“I said when I left that it was the right time for me to go. What has happened since is very disappointing, both for myself and everyone associated with the club.

“If I did look to come back I think it would be in the Premier League.”

Whatever happens this week, Parkinson looks certain to take charge in Saturday’s critical home game against fellow strugglers Southampton.