Former Charlton and Ireland goalkeeper Dean Kiely has backed the Addicks to recover from relegation from the Premiership, insisting the club will not slide further down the Football League.

Defeat by Tottenham last night confirmed Charlton's fate despite the upturn in fortunes since Alan Pardew's appointment on Christmas Eve.

But Kiely, now with West Brom, believes the Londoners have the infrastructure to recover from relegation.

He said: "You won't see Charlton spiralling out of all proportion and going down, down, down like a Leeds or teams like that because they run things properly and have a solid base."

Charlton have also been linked with a foreign takeover despite their relegation, although Kiely added: "I can see the attraction of foreign investment but I'm not too sure.

"Decisions will have to be made during the summer but with people like (chief executive) Peter Varney and (chairman) Richard Murray, the right decisions will be made."