CHARLTON are ready to step up their interest in Southend United's top-scorer Freddy Eastwood with a £2million offer for the 23-year-old striker.

While Eastwood was at Wolves on Wednesday undergoing a medical, Charlton manager Alan Pardew was waiting in the wings ready to top their offer.

The player has made no secret of his preference to remain living at his Basildon home, which is 30 miles from The Valley and even closer to Charlton's training ground.

The Addicks are thought to have had a £1.5million offer rejected but are prepared to match and beat Wolves' offer for the former West Ham YTS trainee who scored 65 goals in 135 games for Southend since signing from local semi-professional club Grays Athletic in 2004.

Pardew would not be drawn on Eastwood, though he is known to be a long-time admirer of the player. Ironically, Eastwood spent time on trial with Charlton before joining Southend.

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