CELTIC are poised to switch their attention to Aberdeen's Russell Anderson if, as seems likely, they lose out to Charlton in the race to sign Steven Pressley.

The ex-Hearts captain watched Charlton draw 2-2 with Fulham at The Valley last night.

He will have a medical there today, and new Addicks boss Alan Pardew said: "It's never definite until they sign, but there is a good chance Steven will. He will be a good addition if we get him for nothing.

"What I like about him is he is a leader. We need characters and leadership and that's one thing that attracts me to him."

When Pardew replaced Les Reed, Celtic's hopes were raised that their original offer - which was much better than Celtic's - may be retracted.

However, Pressley's lawyer, Blair Morgan, said the lucrative deal always remained on the table.

He said: "By the end of the week, Steven will have made his decision. The change of manager at Charlton makes no difference to the offer Steven has been made."

Losing Pressley would be a bitter disappointment to Gordon Strachan, who has been trying to recruit a player he worked with at Coventry a decade ago.

With Bobo Balde ruled out with a broken leg for three months - as exclusively revealed in later editions of SportTimes yesterday - the need to sign an experienced defender is acute.

But the Parkhead money men are not prepared to pay what they consider to be over the odds for a player classed as a veteran and cup tied for Europe this season.

Now, unless there is a last minute hitch at Charlton, Celtic will have to switch tack, and Aberdeen captain Anderson comes into the frame, along with a few candidates identified on the Continent.

But Anderson is under contract and Aberdeen would be reluctant to sell as they chase a Champions League place. So Celtic would have to commit far more money to get him than they would have had to shell out for Pressley.

Given that Anderson - also a Norwich target - is five years younger than Pressley, this would be balanced by the fact he would have a resale value.

But it could drain resources Strachan may have earmarked for other signing targets in the January transfer window.

What is not in doubt is that a defender is a priority. Gary Caldwell damaged knee ligaments against Inverness on November 18 and is not scheduled to return for another six weeks.

Mark Wilson is still on crutches after injuring a knee in the Old Firm game on December 17, with a provisional date to resume playing some time in February.

John Kennedy will not be considered as he has played only a handful of reserve games - without competing a full 90 minutes in any of them - since returning to action last month after seriously damaging knee ligaments in March 2004.

And Scott Cuthbert, the regular centre-back and reserves captain, has been loaned to Livingston for a month.

That leaves 19-year-old Darren O'Dea to partner Stephen McManus at the heart of the defence, the complication being that both are predominantly left sided.

But, despite this, they will face Motherwell on Saturday.