Ricardo Fuller has made cameo appearances in the games at Bristol City and Burnley while Yann Kermorgant played in the Under-21 game with Brentford on Monday.

Rhoys Wiggins and Lawrie Wilson are not far away either. Very soon, Chris Powell is going to have some difficult decisions to make with his team selection.

There have been persisitent rumours that the financial situation at the club has improved and there is evidence of this. Better quality loanees, such as Abdul Razak and Emmanuel Frimpong, have come to The Valley with rumours that the Frimpong deal could be made permanent.

The obvious question is, if true, why would Frimpong come to The Valley on a permanent basis? He would have to be convinced that the Addicks were on the cusp of a Premier League return. Shrewd signings in January would certainly give Charlton every chance of being in the shake up come May.

Good quality signings cost money, both in terms of a fee and the player’s salary. Any significant move in the market in January will be a sure sign that things behind the scenes have improved.

Meanwhile, Powell will have to juggle his squad and decide upon his best team. He will soon have Hulse, Haynes, Fuller, Wright-Phillips and Kermorgant battling for two starting berths at the front for example.

Frimpong will increase the competition for places in central midfield and the manager now has real options as he bids to keep the club’s recent good form going.