CHARLTON manager Phil Parkinson believes Southampton's sacking of Alan Pardew was a strange decision.

The Addicks boss worked with Pardew at Reading and was assistant to him during a spell at Charlton Athletic.

Pardew left the Saints on Monday, only 48 hours after his side had won 4-0 at Bristol Rovers in League One.

Parkinson said: "What's gone on behind the scenes I'm not quite sure — everyone thinks it was a bit of a strange decision.

"But Pardew is a good manager, I'm sure he will be back in the game sooner rather than later."

Yannick Bolasie is unlikely to be fit for Plymouth Argyle's game at Colchester United on September 11.

The 21-year-old winger/forward has not appeared so far this season.

He picked up a knee injury in pre-season, at Saltash United on August 2, and has been missed by Argyle, who have only scored three goals in their opening four League One fixtures.

Manager Peter Reid said of Bolasie: "I wish he could play at Colchester, but I think it might be too early for him.

"Obviously he's a player who can go past people and is an attacking option we've missed, without a doubt."

Argyle are inactive this weekend after calling off their home league game against Brighton & Hove Albion because of international call-ups.

Goalkeeper Jonny Brain is hopeful of keeping his first clean sheet for Walsall against Colchester on Saturday.

Brain, a summer signing from League Two side Macclesfield, is one of several new faces at the Bescot Stadium and has started all six games this season.

The 27-year-old said: "We're looking alright as a unit but there are certain aspects we can work on.

"We need to defend better as a team and tighten up in general. The quicker the first clean sheet comes the better."

Walsall's first-choice goalkeepers from 2009/10 both departed from the club in the summer and a number of defenders, including last season's skipper Mark Hughes and the experienced Rhys Weston, also left the club.