Charlton could give Benni McCarthy lifeline

Charlton manager Chris Powell is weighing up a move for Benni McCarthy, who has had weight issues of his own.

The striker is available after being cut from West Ham's 25-man Premier League squad a year after joining from Blackburn for £2.5million.

McCarthy was overweight and out of condition when he made that move and then had problems with losing the pounds too quickly.

It all added up to a miserable time at Upton Park, where he failed to score in 13 games.

The 33-year-old might get the chance to resurrect his career with a loan move to The Valley.

Powell said: "There are all sorts of financial factors... Benni McCarthy is one we are looking at."

Striker Pawel Abbott has joined Polish side Ruch Chorzow.