Charlton Athletic boss hoping key man can be secured on long-term contract

Charlton manager Ben Garner is hoping that George Dobson signs a long-term contract extension.

The 24-year-old’s current deal runs out at the end of June but the South Londoners hold an option to extend it by a further 12 months.

Dobson won the club’s Player of the Year award last season and the former Sunderland and AFC Wimbledon player has been a key fixture in Garner’s midfield, starting 16 of their opening 17 League One matches.

A number of the Charlton fanbase have called for Dobson, above, to significantly extend his SE7 stay.

Garner told the South London Press: “I agree 100 per cent with the supporters. He has done really well at this football club – he’s a top player who is getting better and better. I would be suggesting that is something we look at as a football club. He’s one of our key figures and he’s a great leader in the team as well.

“From a manager’s point of view I’d love to have him tied down on a longer contract and that will be conversations I have with Thomas [Sandgaard, Charlton’s owner] along with recruitment.

“Recruitment I see in two ways, really. You’ve got players you are trying to bring in externally but you’re also looking to secure the players you’ve got within the building. If we can get Dobbo to sign a longer deal – commit his future to the football club – then that’s a signing. That would be a real bonus and a real strength.

“Dobbo is going to come into his prime over the next few years as well.

“My job is making the recommendations from a football point of view on those things. Ultimately the final decision will always rest with the chairman and owner of the football club.”

Garner wants to sit down with Sandgaard the next time the US-based Dane is in the UK to discuss the January transfer window.

“I’ve got targets in mind that I’d like to bring in and a shortlist of players that I think would really strengthen us,” said Garner.

“It’s more a case of knowing the boundaries we are working within, if you like, what we can and can’t do.

“The January window is more difficult than the summer, without a doubt, but we need to make sure we’re getting two or three really strong players that take us forward and allow us to push on with the second half of the season.”

PICTURES: PAUL EDWARDS