The Addicks are now entering a phase of Saturday – Tuesday – Saturday matches, albeit next Tuesday’s fixture is a Checkatrade Trophy clash at Stevenage.
The plethora of matches always tests a player’s fitness, and stretches squads in the lower leagues.
Lee Bowyer could face one or two problems ahead of Tuesday’s game at Scunthorpe.
Karlan Grant and Jamie Ward picked up knocks in training last week, though Grant was fit enough to be on the bench at Luton.
They were left out as a precaution, but Bowyer will have to decide whether they are fit enough to feature at Glanford Park.
Two of the regulars picked up knocks on Saturday and will have to be assessed ahead of the Scunthorpe game.
Lewis Page – already suffering with a groin problem – required lengthy treatment after a challenge.
Ideally, Bowyer would like to give his left-back a breather, but he is hoping to be able to nurse through until the international break in the middle of the month.
With Naby Sarr required for central defensive duties, Bowyer’s options are limited if Page is unavailable.
The manager has already said that Jamie Mascoll is not yet ready for first team action, so he would have to play a makeshift left-back.
Ben Reeves played left-back as a youngster and played as a wing-back in the Checkatrade Trophy match with AFC Wimbledon.
Another option would be to switch Chris Solly to the left and bring in either Anfernee Dijksteel or Mark Marshall on the right.
Jason Pearce was pushed up front for the final few minutes on Saturday and looked to be moving a little uncomfortably after one clash.
Pearce is a vital component in defence. His organisational and leadership skills are as important as his ability.
With Patrick Bauer ruled out for several weeks, and Krystian Bielik not yet ready to return, Bowyer would again need to use a stop gap if Pearce is unavailable.
Dijksteel played in central defence in that Checkatrade Trophy game, but pairing him with Sarr in a league game against difficult opponents would not be ideal.
A better option may be to bring in fit again Darren Pratley to operate in defence.
Hopefully, both Page and Pearce will be fit for Tuesday night, but the punishing schedule is not helping them.
TAGS: Charlton Athletic