Mooney - let's stay together

David Mooney is enjoying life in SE7 and after two goals in his last two Valley appearances, the striker is hoping his loan switch from Reading can be extended.

The Addicks snapped up Mooney from the Royals on an emergency loan until Tuesday, December 1st - the day Charlton take on Brighton & Hove Albion at the Withdean Stadium.

The hitman can play in the fixture on the south coast, but if he is to stay put with the Addicks beyond that game, then his temporary switch will need to be extended.

The transfer window for temporary signings closes on Thursday, but there is still time for an agreement to be reached with Reading because the deadline only prevents new loans. Existing loans, such as that of Mooney and Akpo Sodje, can still be extended after the deadline, as long as they are continued immediately.

The situation of Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Carl Ikeme is slightly different, however, as he played the final game of his loan spell on Tuesday night. Any decision to extend his stay must be taken by the deadline.

Staying longer on SE7 is something Mooney, who hit Charlton's opening goal in Tuesday's 4-2 win over Bristol Rovers, is keen to do.

He said: "I'm here until next Tuesday after the Brighton game, but hopefully it'll be extended. I've just got to wait and see what happens but obviously I need to get it sorted. It's one of those things where I'm not playing at Reading so if I can come here and do well during the loan period, and Charlton want to sign me then I'd talk it through with my family and see what we do. Brighton is my last game unless things get sorted out."

The decision to extend Mooney's stay in SE7 may not rest with Charlton, though, as assistant boss Tim Breacker explained in his post-match press conference on Tuesday.

"We'd love to extend David's loan as he's done well for us but it's down to his club," mused Breacker. "We don't really know what's happening in terms of their injuries.

"For the first month of a loan a player cannot be recalled, but if it goes into a second month they can recall him quickly, and with the deadline coming up on Thursday this could be a vital time for a lot of teams in terms of their squad."

After bagging the opener against the Pirates, Dublin-born Mooney, who joined Reading from Cork City in 2008, had a major hand in Charlton's third goal of the night - an effort by Nicky Bailey which put the Addicks back in front following Rovers' comeback from 2-0 down.

Mooney had headed a cross over Mikkel Anderson and off the underside of the bar, before the ball eventually found its way to Bailey, who bundled home.

Stated Mooney: "I just tried to lob it over the keeper and I was hoping it would hit the bar and go in, but I've managed to challenge for the second ball and thankfully it fell to our fox in the box, Nicky, and he stuck it in. Since I've arrived he's scored a good few goals. In training, he's top class.

"As a team we've been playing well," continued Mooney. "We had a bit of dip for half an hour against Rovers - the last 15 minutes of the first half and the first 15 minutes of the second half - but generally we played really well and I was delighted with the goal.

"The three games I had coming off the bench when I first arrived may have helped a bit. Rather than being thrown straight in it was more of a gradual introduction and hopefully I'm reaping the benefits on the pitch."

Mooney was forced to make way for Miguel Llera at Yeovil Town on Saturday as Phil Parkinson attempted to steady the ship following Sam Sodje's first-half sending off.

It was a decision which initially annoyed Mooney, but now he understands why he was sacrificed, stating: "I wasn't too happy at the time, but when you look back it's a football decision and it's just one of those things."

Finally, an interview with an Irishman right now would not be complete without his verdict on seeing his country's World Cup qualifying hopes ended by France and the hand of Thierry Henry recently.

"I was disappointed," added Mooney. "I know a few of the players and they're all upset but it's just one of those things that happen in football."

CAFC Player subscribers will be able to see Mooney's post-match interview - and all the goals from the Rovers game - by the end of Wednesday.