Alan Pardew's Charlton side were relegated last season

Football experts Seymour Pierce will help the Coca-Cola Championship club to examine funding options, including a share issue or a possible takeover.

A club statement said confirmed the move "to consider a range of strategic options, which may or may not lead to an offer for the company".

The club was relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season.

It had spent heavily in the summer of 2006 under then-manager Iain Dowie, bringing in players such as Djimi Traore and Andy Reid.

But the investment failed to work, and Dowie was sacked in November. Les Reed was then appointed manager, but he was replaced by Alan Pardew in December.

Reports in May said a group was looking at a �50m takeover of the London club.

At the time, it was said that a consortium of Middle Eastern and European businessmen was considering making an offer.

Charlton added that a further announcement would be made in due course.