Charlton Athletic are considering a loan move for Chelsea's Xavier Simons, according to the Evening Standard.

However, a move could only come to pass if the Blues take the decision to recall the 19-year-old from his season-long loan spell at Hull City.

As things stand, it would be very surprising to see Chelsea leave Simons at the MKM Stadium beyond this month, when the midfielder has struggled for game-time, in part due to injury.

Simons has only made one Championship appearance this season, and there is reason to believe that he would have a greater chance of breaking through with the Addicks.

That said, central midfield is one of Charlton's strongest areas of the pitch, with key player George Dobson sitting at the base of midfield and taking the captain's armband recently.

Additionally to Dobson, Albie Morgan, Scott Fraser, Aaron Henry, Jack Payne, Sean Clare and Conor McGrandles are all capable of playing in a central midfield role at SE7, so competition for places could prove challenging again for Simons.

Chelsea should learn from the case of Nile John.

John joined the Addicks on loan for the rest of the season from Tottenham Hotspur in January of last season, and the young midfielder did not pick up a single senior minute for the club in that time, despite being fit for selection.

A similar fate could await Simons from Chelsea's point of view.

Looking at the Addicks, and what positions they should be looking to strengthen this month, left-back and left centre-back are two key areas that have to take priority over another midfielder.

Steven Sessegnon, who is right-footed, is the club's only player capable of playing regularly at left-back in the third tier at the moment, and the Fulham loanee has had his fitness ups and downs this term.

A longer-term solution in that position would be ideal this month but difficult to pull off in January.

The Addicks do not have a left centre-back at the club, despite turning down the option to buy Akin Famewo last summer, and particularly with Dean Holden being flexible and frequently switching to a back three formation, that is a position that needs addressing.

With Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Sessegnon, and now Todd Kane on loan in SE7, there is room for two more domestic loan players, of which you can only name five in a matchday squad, and that may be the easiest route to strengthening left centre-back and left-back, such that would take a hit if Simons walked through the door.