China's Zheng Zhi enjoying Charlton challenge

Zheng Zhi, the China captain, seen here in action in April 2007, may still be struggling to get to grips with the English language but the midfielder insists communication on the field is proving less of a problem as he gets used to life with Charlton Athletic.

Zheng Zhi, the China captain, may still be struggling to get to grips with the English language but the midfielder insists communication on the field is proving less of a problem as he gets used to life with Charlton Athletic.

The 27-year-old joined the south London side, who play in English football's second tier Championship, on a permanent basis during the pre-season after a short loan spell last term.

He signed a two-year contract at The Valley after completing his two million pounds (four million dollars) move from Shandong Luneng in China and is now fully focused on helping Charlton return to the lucrative Premier League following their relegation last season.

"I'd been here before, so I knew the environment and some of the players at the club," Zheng, speaking through a translator, told the Valley Review, Charlton's matchday magazine.

"It was very much like a feeling of coming back home," added Zheng, a first team regular this season with four goals in 16 league appearances.

"I already had a good rapport with the manager, staff and other players, so it was a privilege to come back," Zheng, who last season played 12 games for the Addicks and scored one goal, against Newcastle, said.

"It has been different because UK football has its own style. It's faster and in the Championship, players have to be stronger.

"They play skilful football in the Premier League, instead of a lot of high balls, that's the biggest difference, but I feel I have adapted better now than when I first came here," the two-time Chinese Player of the Year added.

Zheng, who is having English lessons, said the language barrier had not stopped him forming a good relationship with his team mates.

"I go to school every week to carry on learning English and I am gradually getting better.

"The other players are all very friendly. It could be hard for me but they all make the effort to talk to me and help with my English. But at the moment, I use my body language and those words I have picked up.

"The longer I live here and speak to people, the easier it will be to pick things up."

Zheng, who grew up in Shenyang in north-east China, said his move to Charlton has had a huge impact in his homeland where football fans avidly follow his progress.

"Being here right now is definitely the right thing for me and you can tell that more and more people are focusing on Charlton in the Far East.

"When I was back there, all I heard was that people all want the club to do well and get promoted back to the Premier League.

"I think there are a few fans deciding to wear the red shirt of Charlton rather than Manchester United."

With next year's Olympic Games being held in his homeland, 'ZZ' as he is known at Charlton, is relishing the chance to represent his country in Beijing as an over-age player.

"It's one of my biggest dreams to play in a football tournament in my home country and I would like to achieve that next year but, before that, I am focusing on my career at Charlton."

The Addicks are third in the table, level on points with West Brom who currently occupy the second and last automatic promotion spot.

But a Charlton team including Zheng suffered a setback on Tuesday with a 3-0 defeat at home to Sheffield United.

However, Addicks manager Alan Pardew was confident of a revival against Burnley. "Looking around the dressing room, the players are very disappointed in their performances but I don't think that's a problem in terms of confidence for Saturday."