The growing unrest about the time the proposed ESI takeover of Charlton is taking prompted t‎he club to make a further statement on Friday.

They lay the blame firmly at the EFL’s door and have urged them to complete their checks quickly.

The Addicks desperately need reinforcements and will be keen to get bodies through the door as soon as the transfer window opens. That is less than two weeks away now.

Until that happens, Lee Bowyer must carry on with his wafer thin squad, and hope they do not pick up any more injuries.

Charlton’s fixture list until the end of January does not make happy reading. As well as the FA Cup tie with West Brom, they have seven league fixtures to fulfil. They will entertain Bristol City, West Brom and Fulham at The Valley, and travel to QPR, Derby, Swansea and Preston.

For all their honest endeavour, it is hard to see Bowyer’s team picking up too many points unless they bring in some new players.

First up is QPR this afternoon. The match could represent one of their better opportunities to pick up points.