No new faces arrived in time for the clash with Fulham, and none seemingly imminent. Charlton appear unwilling to pay the going rate for seasoned Championship class players.

Steve Gallen and Lee Bowyer did well to assemble a squad in the summer given the wages on offer, but eventually players willing to accept low wages by Championship standards are exhausted.

ESI wanted to be in situ early enough to make full use of the January transfer window‎. Matt Southall said there would be money available to back Lee Bowyer in the transfer market, but thus far Andre Green on loan from Aston Villa has been the only incoming deal.

Bowyer has lost the services of Conor Gallagher this month. So with only tonight’s game against Fulham left to play in January, ‎the manager has a weaker squad than at the beginning of the month.

Some of the long term injured players are returning now,but it will take them a few games to regain match sharpness. Meanwhile the Addicks slip ever closer to the bottom three.

London neighbours Fulham visit The Valley on Wednesday evening, hoping to pick-up three points to keep the pressure on Leeds and West Brom at the top.

Bowyer will have Chris Solly back after illness, and Chuks Aneke, Josh Cullen, Sam Field and Lyle Taylor could also be ‎av available again.
Charlton could look something like this:

Phillips; Matthews, Lockyer, Pearce, Sarr, Purrington; Field, Cullen, Williams; Taylor, Green.

Subs; Maynard-Brewer, Solly, Oshilaja. Doughty, Pratley, Oztumer, Hemed.

‎The referee will be Stephen Martin.

Bowyer’s side have won just once in the last sixteen games, and have gone the same number of matches since they last kept a clean sheet.

‎They desperately need to string a few wins together, but may have to be patient for a while longer.