Spector stays with Addicks

Jonathan Spector is determined to help Charlton turn their season around after Alex Ferguson confirmed the American defender would not be recalled to Manchester United during the January transfer window.

The 19-year-old moved to The Valley on a year-long loan deal during July, and has so far made 11 appearances for the Addicks after recovering from a hamstring injury picked up during pre-season.

However, with United having since lost Argentina international Gabriel Heinze for the rest of the season because of cruciate ligament damage, there had been suggestions the Old Trafford club could look to recall Spector early as cover.

But following the £7m (€10.2m) capture of Serbia and Montenegro centre-back Nemanja Vidic, Ferguson now has plenty of defensive options and is happy to allow the young American to continue to learn his trade in south-east London.

“I will be here for the rest of the season. Sir Alex just wanted to make sure I was happy to stay, which I am,” Spector revealed.

“He said he had decided that staying at Charlton was the best thing for me and just told me to keep working hard. I was pleased [with the news] as I had wanted to stay anyway.

“I’ll be in London for the second half of the season, and hopefully Charlton will string some wins together and get some more points.”

The Addicks suffered an eighth defeat in their last 10 Barclays Premiership matches when they were beaten 3-1 at struggling Everton on Monday.

Manager Alan Curbishley has been perplexed by such a terrible run of form, which has been even more difficult to fathom given the position his team had found themselves during the early part of the campaign.

Spector – hoping to make the US World Cup squad next summer – is one of the players who has found himself fighting for a first-team place as a result, and the American reflected: “It has been tough for us, but everyone is still pretty confident in the team’s ability and my attitude has not changed.

“I have to work hard to get into the team and obviously my main goal is to develop as a player.”

Spector told www.yanks-abroad.com: “Right now, my main focus is at Charlton, and for me as a young player, it is important that I improve and continue to develop.”

Charlton will take a break from their Premiership trials this weekend when they travel to Sheffield Wednesday for the third-round FA Cup clash.

Curbishley is keen for his team to make an impact in the famous knockout competition following several seasons of under-achievement.

And Spector declared: “We will be focused for Sheffield Wednesday.

“Every game is important and we need points in the league obviously, but this is a competition we are looking to do well in after getting knocked out of the Carling Cup.”

Curbishley could have midfielders Alexei Smertin (knee) and Jerome Thomas (virus) back in contention after the pair missed out over the festive season. Gonzalo Sorondo (foot) may also feature, although Danny Murphy (hamstring) is doubtful.

Striker Francis Jeffers has returned from his loan spell at Rangers, and is likely to go straight into the squad.