The Addicks boss also wants to build a team capable of promotion next season but striker Bent has been widely tipped to move in the summer following his impressive two seasons in the top flight.

“There are all sorts of ifs and buts about Darren, he’s an England international and will obviously want to play at the highest level,” said Charlton chief executive Peter Varney.

Bent scored 22 goals last season and has 15 this term despite nearly two months out with a knee injury, form that had him linked with a move from The Valley even before their relegation.

Pardew has refused to directly comment on Bent’s future but remains confident of promotion from the Championship this time next year.

“Whatever happens in the summer market I think we will be in that top four or five clubs who can get promotion,” he said.

“We’ve got a good chance, we must make sure we repay next year the faith the fans showed us in the last few months.

“As a staff we have the experience for that division and we’re carrying a strong squad into the summer market.

“The summer market will be important for us. We have to make sure we can get the players who can play 46 games in a tough, tough league.”

Pardew has seen enough in his four and a half months at the club to be positive despite relegation, but he believes the club have to show a degree of humility as they rebuild.

“The key ingredient is the spirit of the team and the strength of character because you get a lot of tests in that division and they are the players you need to get out,” he said.

“Next year we’ll put our egos to one side because if you take that to the Championship you are going to get found out.

“We all have to know that it will not be an easy campaign. Somewhere along the line we will lose at home, we’ve all got to be aware of that and stick together because at some point you have difficult results in that league.”

Former Charlton trainee Jermain Defoe sealed Tottenham’s victory at The Valley after Dimitar Berbatov had opened the scoring in the match Charlton had to win to take their relegation battle into the weekend.

Pardew still believes there is something at stake against Liverpool on Sunday.

“What we have to do is focus on our last league game and leave this division with pride because it will be a tough scenario for us,” he said.

Shortly after relegation was confirmed, Charlton were reported by the BBC to be subject of takeover interest from a group of businessmen from the Middle East and Europe.

Varney told Sky Sports News there had not been a formal approach.

“I think I would know if there had been an approach for the club,” he said.