Despite tales to the contrary, the loan window did not close until 5.00pm on Thursday.

It was widely reported that the window closed on Wednesday but, as usual, it closed on the fourth Thursday in November.

There were no last minute deals, either in or out, at The Valley. The winter transfer window opens in five weeks time, on 1 January.

Karel Fraeye spoke of increased confidence in his squad at his Thursday press conference, as he bids for a third successive win, when Ipswich visit The Valley on Saturday.

The Addicks last achieved this feat in March, when they beat Huddersfield and Nottingham Forest at The Valley, before a late Yoni Buyens penalty saw them come from behind to snatch a win at Cardiff. Ironically, Charlton’s other goal was scored by Tony Watt.

Here is what Fraeye told the press:

“We’re very pleased with how we’ve played, but it’s not only the system, it’s confidence too.

“Confidence is always key, you can play whatever system, but it’s about what the players do with the ball.

“We are more confident now and we are becoming a better team.

“We’ve seen a winning momentum returning in training, and with the way that the players are talking to each other. We all want to get that third win in a row, absolutely.

“Getting the clean sheet was very good for the confidence of the team last weekend. It’s been a while since we had one, and that is the same story with an away win.

“It had started to influence the players but they really wanted it and showed the big desire. After we scored the goal I thought we really deserved the win,” said Fraeye before detailing the current injury situation. “Everybody that can be fit, is fit. Ahmed Kashi is out for a longer term.

“He saw a specialist and doesn’t need surgery, and he is working hard every day, but we cannot yet say when we will see him back on the training pitch.

“The only thing we know for sure is that it will take some time. Igor was on the grass for the first time today. I’m not saying he will be back next week but things are starting to look better.

“Cristian Ceballos is the same story as Ahmed. He will be out for a longer time but he is on schedule,” said Fraeye, who also confirmed that Chris Solly will be available for the match.

Stephen Henderson will be in goal, with Solly, Patrick Bauer Naby Sarr and Morgan Fox his likely back line, though Tareiq Holmes-Dennis will be pushing Morgan Fox for the left-back berth.

Fraeye will probably keep faith with the diamond midfield that has served him so well recently. Alou Diarra will at the base, Johann Berg Gudmundsson at the tip, with Jordan Cousins and Johnnie Jackson in the engine room.

Reza Ghoochannejhad may return as Simon Makienok’s partner up front. Ricardo Vaz Te played for the Under-21s against Crystal Palace on Monday, but Fraeye may again introduce him from the bench.

he Addicks could line-up like this:

Henderson; Solly, Bauer, Sarr, Fox; Diarra, Cousins, Jackson, Gudmundsson; Makienok, Ghochannejhad.

Subs: Pope, Holmes-Dennis, Lennon, Ba, Moussa, Lookman, Vaz Te.

Northumberland’s Scott Duncan will be the man in charge.

Mick McCarthy’s high flying Ipswich won 5-2 at Rotherham in their last away game, but such is the current confidence at The Valley, Fraeye will be hopeful that his team can get some kind of result.