Karl Robinson keeping his options open on contract offer for former Charlton midfielder Alou Diarra

Charlton boss Karl Robinson is keeping his options open with regards to former Addicks man Alou Diarra.

The 36-year-old midfielder, who spent a season-and-a-half in SE7 before having his contract terminated and joining French side AS Nancy, has been back training at Sparrows Lane this week.

The Charlton boss has not ruled out offering a contract to the former Liverpool man, who represented France in the 2006 World Cup final.

“What a wonderful man,” said Robinson.

“Alright, he’s getting old, is he going to have the legs, we just don’t know. But why not keep him training in case that possibility might arise. You have to make sure you seek every avenue and that’s what we’re doing at this moment in time.

“I got a phone call from Jacko (Johnnie Jackson) the other day and one from Jason Euell. They said he’s in the area. He’s played in World Cup finals. I believe he was like a Rolls Royce when he played here last time.

“Someone said to me that what he does is he comes into training, he digs people out, he drives the standards of the football club. Someone said that in what’s gone on in the last few years and the negative stuff, he’s one of the positive ones that has come in that regime. That’s not for me to say, that’s for you to judge me on that comment, but I believe that’s that case.”