Fulham still hold out hope of signing Charlton defender Mark Fish before the end of the January transfer window, according to The Sun.

But Chris Coleman will only be able to bring the South African international to Craven Cottage if Charlton succeed in signing Nottingham Forest centre back Michael Dawson.

Coleman has made solving Fulham’s defensive problems his January priority. He has already struck a deal with Manchester City to sign homesick left back Ben Thatcher for £500,000. Fulham are confident they can conclude a deal to add Fish to their squad, despite having failed with their first offer. Fish would be available for a nominal fee as his current deal with the Addicks expires in May.

But the key piece to the jigsaw is Charlton landing the highly-rated Dawson from Forest. Charlton will may a £2m offer for the England youth international in the next few days, but could stretch to a fee of £2.5m.