Central midfield, the ‘engine room’, is a key component in any successful side and Charlton have plenty of options in that department.

The season started with Dale Stephens and Danny Hollands as the men in possession with the likes of Andy Hughes, Mikel Alonso and Bradley Pritchard trying to force their way in.

Alonso has been beset by injuries, making just the one appearance, against Brentford in the JPT match at The Valley. Alonso is now back in light training and will hopefully be a factor in the second half of the season.

Pritchard also spent a few weeks on the sidelines after being crocked by Kermorgant in training. Bags of energy, a player who loves to bomb forward, Pritchard will be used as an impact sub this season.

Due to Stephens ‘clean up’ operation, Andy Hughes has played a few games in midfield with Hollands pushing further forward. Hughes is very much the water carrier in midfield, breaking up play, winning the ball and passing it quickly to a more gifted colleague.

Stephens’ creativity is a miss but has been covered by more creativity from the flanks. He is not due to return to first team action until February but if he can conquer his homesickness, his return would be like a new signing and give the promotion push fresh impetus.

Dependent on Hogan Ephraim’s future, Johnnie Jackson could yet be seen in his natural central midfield berth. Jackson can certainly create and with Ephraim’s instinct to cut in from the left, Jackson’s ability to interchange with him could cause havoc. If Ephraim’s loan could be extended, it would be a real bonus. The splendid form of Wiggins has made Charlton’s left-hand side really difficult to combat.

The jewel in the crown in the central area is undoubtedly Danny Hollands. Nominally the holding player, Hollands is the most complete footballer at the club. He can tackle, pass short, pass long, score goals, he can even deliver a long throw!

Hollands is an all action player, similar in style to Bryan Robson and is definitely capable of operating at a higher level. He has scored six goals in his 21 games in all competitions to ably demonstrate that a holding midfielder can contribute in other areas.

A former captain of Chelsea’s reserve team, Hollands played a big part in Bournemouth’s rise during his five years at Dean Court.

Recent arrival, Darel Russell, is impressed with what he has seen so far and has likened the Addicks to the Norwich promotion winning side he played in. Russell has hinted he would like a permanent move to The Valley. Here are his thought’s after the Walsall game:

“I remember what Paul Lambert used to say when I was there (Norwich), he said ‘games like these, we’re disappointed about not getting the three points, but come the end of the season, these points are the ones that make a difference and add up to make a good season’.

“The league is perhaps a little bit better than two years ago, better players seem to be filtering down the leagues.

“They’re becoming better but when you’re at the top end of League One, you’re expected to be beating lower-end teams.

That’s the pressure you are under, and that’s what you have to go and do.

“We had enough chances to go out there to get the right result. Perhaps we started a bit sloppily and we conceded a goal, which was an unfortunate set of errors, but it sparked us into life to get our equaliser.

“We probably had enough chances after that to put the game to bed, with Danny Hollands and Bradley Wright-Phillips having some good chances.”

Russell made a fantastic headed clearance off the line to deny Walsall – which he played down – and also gave his thoughts on Charlton’s late claim for a penalty:

“It’s one of those ones when I’ve seen them given and also not given.

“Obviously we want to go on and win the game, so it’s disappointing because it’s two decisions late on in the game. There’s a lot of pressure in those situations and it’s difficult to give a decision.

“I suppose I was just lucky to be in the right place at the right time. They had a good chance to put the game to bed themselves and it was lively in the last 15 minutes.”

Chris Powell surprised many when he gave Russell the nod ahead of Andy Hughes for the vital Huddersfield game. Though Russell had to come off at half-time with a calf strain, Powell had no hesitation in reinstating the Preston loanee at Walsall. Similar in style to Hughes, Russell is an accomplished player who can still perform at a higher level. He gave this self assessment:

“I’ve made a bit of career from that side of the game, and it comes as second nature for me.

“It’s just a case of getting the other side of the game by getting the ball down and playing. I’m sure with our home pitch, which is a lovely surface, I’ll be able to play a lot more and get the ball down to play good football.

“The injury is fine now and Saturday was another chance to blow out the cobwebs, and hopefully I can get myself up-and- running to full fitness and match sharpness.

“I’m hoping to do well as I can do for the team, for myself and for the manager. What happens at the end of that loan period is obviously dependent on how well I do.

“I hadn’t been playing previously, and to come in with the gaffer having a lot of faith in me straight away, I thank him for that. I hope to repay him as best as I possibly can with good performances and good results.”

“The boys are playing with a freedom to really go on and express themselves.

“That was noticeable from the first day I came, and with that, people can go places when you have that freedom to have the confidence to go and express yourself, and do the best you possibly can.

“It’s been working so far this season, so there’s no reason to change it,” said Darel.

A fully fit and sharp Darel Russell would be a valuable asset for Chris Powell to add to his armoury.