CHARLTON are ready to follow up last weekend's signing of Newcastle’s England Under-21 midfielder Darren Ambrose by taking Alexei Smertin from Chelsea on a season-long loan.

The 30-year-old Russia international midfielder, who cost £3,450,000 when they signed him from Bordeaux in the summer of 2003, could remain at The Valley if an option can be negotiated.

No sooner had Smertin arrived at Stamford Bridge than he was shipped out on loan to Portsmouth in their first Premiership season.

A pacy player, he became a big favourite with Pompey fans though he did not get on the score-sheet.

Should Smertin move to The Valley, he will become the Charlton’s fourth new summer signing after Darren Bent, Kelly Youga and Ambrose who moved from St James’ for an undisclosed fee on Friday.

Newcastle paid £1 million for Ambrose when they signed him from Ipswich in March, 2003.

The 21-year-old agreed a four-year contract and becomes the club’s fourth former Ipswich player behind skipper Matt Holland, Hermann Hreidarsson and Bent.

"I’m looking forward to linking up again with Darren Bent because I believed we had a telepathic understanding when we played together at Ipswich," said Ambrose.

Manager Alan Curbishley disclosed that the player had needed little persuading to sign.

Charlton had been in month-long discussions with Newcastle to bring Harlow-born Ambrose back south.

"I could tell from the time I met him that he wanted to come to us and that is a big bonus," said Curbishley. "I didn’t have to do much of a selling job as he wanted to come here and that is a major thing."

Charlton’s interest in Tottenham central defender Anthony Gardner is thought to have cooled following reports that the the player failed a medical.