BOSS Lee Bradbury says he is looking forward to having a fully-fit squad at his disposal after further bolstering his resources with the addition of Simon Francis.

Francis is today due to put the finishing touches to a loan move from Charlton – with the deal set to be made permanent when the transfer window reopens in January.

The 26-year-old watched Cherries’ 2-0 win over Scunthorpe from a seat in the Main Stand on Saturday and could be involved in tomorrow’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash at Brentford.

His arrival brings to 13 the number of new players signed by Bradbury this season – with Francis the ninth permanent acquisition in a 30-strong squad.

Bradbury told the Daily Echo: “At this moment in time, we haven’t got a big squad available because there are seven or eight players in the treatment room. I can’t wait for the day when everyone is fit and available because we have got a good squad.”

A move to sign Francis during pre-season fell through when the player failed to agree personal terms after the two clubs had settled on a transfer fee, believed to have been around £40,000.

But with Francis out of contract with Charlton at the end of the season and with the player entitled to speak to other clubs in January, the Addicks are understood to have lowered their asking price.

A former team-mate of Bradbury’s at Southend, Francis, who commanded a fee of £200,000 when he moved from Bradford to Sheffield United in 2004, made 38 appearances for Charlton last season after joining for £35,000 from the Shrimpers 18 months ago.

Bradbury added: “I played with him at Southend when we won promotion to the Championship. He is a good player with good quality. He is a big lad but also very mobile and has got a good delivery. He is another option for us because he can play right-back, centre-back and right midfield.

“He hasn’t been involved much at Charlton this season and I saw it as a chance to act now before the window reopens because there were apparently a couple of other clubs sniffing around.”

Asked by the Daily Echo what had changed since the club tried to sign Francis in July, Bradbury replied: “Charlton’s view on him. He didn’t cost as much as he would have.

“Now we have finally got him, I feel he will be a great signing for the club.”