CHRIS Francis featured as a trialist for Charlton Athletic on Saturday, following his summer release from Cherries.

Francis, formerly of Swindon Town, was plucked from non-league North Leigh last summer, but never featured for the first team.

He was sent out on loan to Weymouth in January and is now looking for a new club.

The 20-year-old played 45 minutes of the Addicks’ 4-0 pre-season friendly win against Welling United.

Asked if Francis will remain with the club, Charlton boss Dean Holden told South London Press: “There’s a conversation to be had, in that there are one or two other clubs that have got wind of it and who are putting offers to him.

“I think we might have to make a decision on that quite quickly this week. We’ll see how the conversations go.”

Discussing how Francis came to his attention initially, Holden explained: “There was a conversation I had with someone in the off-season, just an opportunity to have a look at Chris.

“You can see he’s got a great profile, in terms of his size and his mobility.

“He is a left-sided centre-back and we have not got many of them in the club. Just as importantly if we did act on it he wouldn’t be blocking any pathway with that left foot on him.

“He has been with us all week and shown up really well. At Bournemouth he went into a non-league loan after the January transfer window closed, those were his only loan options available to him.

“He can be pleased with his week’s work.”