DOUGIE Freedman has explained why he passed up on the chance to sign French striker Basile Camerling.

Wanderers took a close look at the former Nancy front man a fortnight ago but declined to offer him a contract after feeling he was not ready for first-team football.

“He did quite well but fitness was an issue,” Freedman said. “We need someone who can step straight into the team right now.

“He is a good player but he’s probably a couple of months away from fitness and in the end that’s exactly why we couldn’t sign him.”

After leaving Wanderers Camerling returned for a second spell at Charlton but has left The Valley and is searching for another English club.

Freedman is on the lookout for signings, however, and wants to bolster his ranks by at least another two bodies by the end of the loan window on November 28.

“We can’t leave ourselves short,” he said. “I think we paid a price for doing that at this stage last year.”

Elsewhere, a striker linked with Wanderers earlier this season, Sunderland’s Connor Wickham, has rejoined Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday on loan.

The England Under-21 forward spent a spell with the Owls last season, playing six times.