Charlton manager Alan Pardew has challenged China captain Zheng Zhi to prove he is capable of starring in the Premiership.

Zheng, 26, will start his stint with the struggling London team on Monday and Pardew is looking forward to seeing his first signing in action.

Pardew, having taken over at The Valley on Christmas Eve, signed Zheng from Shandong Luneng on loan until the end of the season with an option on a permanent transfer should he impress.

Zheng has twice been voted Chinese Footballer of the Year and led Shandong to the league title earlier this year, but Pardew realizes the switch to English football will not be easy.

He has no fears about Zheng's fitness though and the versatile player could be in the squad for Charlton's crucial home Premiership clash against Middlesbrough on January 13.

Pardew said: "We think he will be in on Monday. A week's training is probably important for him and me to get familiarized with each other. I would suggest being an Asian player that his fitness levels will be the least of my worries. They are usually very well conditioned. I expect him to be in a pretty condition, knowing he has got a big challenge here. It will be a big step up for him in the Premiership."

(China Daily via AFP January 4, 2007)