A late withdrawal meant a change of formation was forced upon Chris Powell at The Valley on Saturday afternoon.

Ricardo Fuller was sidelined with a virus and with Yann Kermorgant out until the New Year, Powell’s striking options were limited.

The manager went for a five man midfield to cover the loss but lost Johnnie Jackson and Salim Kerkar to injuries during the match. Young Manchester City midfielder, Abdul Razak, has been brought in on loan and will go straight into the squad for Tuesday’s game with Watford. The need for a striker is urgent enough for one to be brought in ahead of the game with the Hornets, though Fuller is expected to be available for that game.

Powell persisted with Wilson at right-back and Solly on the left. Cedic Evina was again confined to the bench though he did make the briefest of appearances when he replaced the injured Kerkar in stoppage time.

Manager-less Blackburn dominated the early exchanges as Charlton continued their worrying habit of starting slowly.

Rovers took the lead after 16 minutes when a quick, crisp, passing move gave Dickson Etuhu the opportunity to fire the visitors ahead.

Nine minutes later Charlton spurned a golden opportunity to restore parity. Cort was pushed over in the area and Darren Deadman pointed to the spot. Jackson’s penalty hit Paul Robinson’s trailing leg and was cleared. Firtunately, the miss was not costly, in the next attack Danny Hollands hammered the ball across the area for Jackson to head home from close range.

Thereafter, the Addicks had much the better of the game. The impressive Green hit the post and in the second period Charlton had efforts cleared off the line and late on, a Wright-Phillips over head shot drew an acrobatic tip over from Robinson.

Powell will be pleased with his team’s performance but frustrated with the result. He will be hoping physio, Erol Umut, can work his magic on Jackson and Kerkar. The last thing the manager needs is a depleted squad this early in the season.

Charlton: Hamer; Wilson, Cort, Morrison, Solly; Green, Stephens, Hollands,Jackson (Pritchard 52), Kerkar (Evina 90); Wright-Phillips.

Subs (not used): Button, Dervite, Wagstaff, Cook, Smith.

Goal: Jackson 27.

Blackburn: Robinson; Orr, Givet (Hanley 46), Dann, Olsson; Lowe, Murphy, Etuhu, Pedersen; Gomes (Dunn 73), Rhodes.

Subs (not used): Kean, Ribeiro, Formica, Nunes, Rochina.

Goal: Etuhu 16.

Booked: Murphy 59 (foul), Lowe 79 (foul).

Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire).

Attn: 17,169 (1,180 Blackburn).