Curbishley is closing in on Corradi deal

Alan Curbishley is confident he will sign Italian international Bernardo Corradi this summer.

The Charlton manager tried to bring in the powerful Valencia target man in January and believes he has now persuaded him to join.

Corradi, 29, wants to find a new club after falling out of favour in Spain and Tottenham were linked with a loan move for him in the last transfer window.

The former Inter Milan and Lazio striker, who has 13 caps, could cost more than £5million and break the club's transfer record but he would give Curbishley the extra firepower he feels his team lacks.

He still has money left from Scott Parker's £10m move to Chelsea last year and Charlton directors are willing to make more available if it will allow them to make a genuine push for Europe.

Full-back Hermann Hreidarsson has a knee injury and will miss Sunday's game at home to Manchester United but Paul Konchesky is available again following suspension.