Tom Harvey reports
Charlton have moved to solve their striker shortage by signing West Ham United forward Frank Nouble on loan.
The powerful frontman has initially signed for 28 days and will go straight into Chris Powell's squad for Saturday's (3pm) London derby with Brentford. He has been handed the number nine jersey.
With Pawel Abbott returning to Poland and Joe Anyinsah out with an ankle injury, Paul Benson was hit with a four-game suspension this week following his red card at Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday night.
That left Powell with just one available senior striker in Bradley Wright-Phillips, but the manager has now eased that crisis by snapping up Nouble, who became the club's second loan capture of the day on Friday after Tottenham Hotspur youngster Dean Parrett joined until the end of the season.
Born in Lewisham, Nouble joined Chelsea at U12 level, but turned down a professional deal with the Blues to move to West Ham in July 2009.
He made his Hammers debut as a substitute in a 2-0 away win against Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2009, with his first start coming in a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa in January 2010.
An England U19 international, Nouble has spent time on loan at West Bromwich Albion, Swindon Town, Swansea City and Barnsley since arriving at Upton Park.
While with the Robins at the end of last term, he was an unused substitute in both of Town's play-off semi-final matches against the Addicks.
In total, he has made 14 appearances for West Ham and although he is still looking for his first goal in a claret and blue shirt, Nouble netted for Barnsley earlier this season.
Nouble is the second Hammer on loan at The Valley, with defender Matt Fry currently in his second spell with the Addicks from East London.
Charlton now have six players on loan at The Valley, with Nouble, Fry and Parrett joined by Federico Bessone (Leeds United), Neil Etheridge (Fulham) and Nathan Eccleston (Liverpool). Only five are permitted to be included in a matchday squad.
