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According to an exclusive from London News Online, Charlton Athletic are set to offer their star striker Lyle Taylor a new contract with improved terms after he helped fire them back to the Sky Bet Championship.

What's the word, then?

The report claims that Addicks boss Lee Bowyer is afraid that the 29-year-old centre-forward will attract bids in the summer transfer window, so wants to give him the incentive of extra money to stay.

Taylor has arguably enjoyed the best season of his journeyman-like career so far, netting 25 goals and scoring 12 assists in all competitions following a move from London rivals AFC Wimbledon last summer.

One of his strikes came in the play-off semi-final first leg against Doncaster Rovers and without it the Valley club would not have had the opportunity to defeat Sunderland at Wembley to return to England's second tier after a three-season exodus. Interestingly, the former Sheffield United man is the captain of the Montserrat national team.

Err on the side of caution

Charlton should undoubtedly err on the side of caution with this one and not offer Taylor improved terms with his contract not due to run out for another year.

With the forward close to his 30s, not many, if any, clubs above his current level are going to want to prise him away from south-east London in the next couple of months.

It also remains to be seen whether the hitman is going to be as deadly at the higher level of the Championship as he was in League One as he's not proven at that level. For example, Sunderland's Will Grigg loves League One but has never performed in the second tier.

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There's also the factor of the pressure more money would put on Taylor and the potential damage it could do in terms of dressing room relationships.

Despite the fact that Bowyer's men have lost many players in recent times due to not tying them down to long-term contracts, the club should revisit the situation this time next year. That way they've got the option of releasing Taylor there and then if things don't work out next campaign.