Charlton added another‎ two players to their ranks on Friday. Matt Smith and David Davis arrived on loan from Manchester City and Birmingham respectively.

Smith is a 20-year-old midfielder, who City recalled from Queens Park Rangers to loan out to the Addicks. He is a Welsh international but failed to make an impact at Loftus Road.

He was delighted to be at The Valley, and had this to say after completing the move:

“It’s a wonderful football club with a lot of history, I just can’t wait to get going. 

“I’ve come here to try and get an opportunity to play and prove to everyone that I can do it at this level.

“I spoke to Locks (Tom Lockyer) and he just told me what an amazing football club it is and that the feel for the club is really nice which helped me make the decision to join this club.”

‎Lee Bowyer added

“I’m delighted to have a second midfielder through the door. I’m looking forward to working with him, he’s another young one that is going to give us plenty of energy in the middle of the park. It’s a good positive signing for me.”

Birmingham’s vastly experienced 28-year-old box-to-box midfielder, David Davis, completed Charlton’s deadline day activity.

He has played in the Premier League for Wolves and made over 150 Championship appearances for Birmingham, including 15 this season.

Bowyer had this to say about his latest capture:

‎”He’s another player that’s going to come in and strengthen the squad. We’ve brought David in because of his experience. He’s played over 150 games in this division. He’s a man and he’s a winner.”

Director of Football, Steve Gallen, endorsed those thoughts:

“He’s a good athlete with a good attitude. He’s a big, strong boy. During January we were looking to add an athletic type to our midfield to go with what we already have and I’m pleased we’ve been able to do that.”

Neither Smith nor Davis will be available for Saturday’s crunch game with Barnsley at The Valley.

The latest three signings brings the total number of loanees at the club up to six, but only five can be included in the match day squad of 18.

But perhaps the best bit of business the Addicks did was hanging on to talismanic striker, Lyle Taylor.

The frantic transfer activity has rather overshadowed Saturday’s blockbuster clash with Barnsley at The Valley.

Though the Tykes are in the bottom three, the bookies make them favourites to win the game.

It may be too early to be a must win game, but losing it could have a catastrophic effect on the season.

Bowyer will have some important decisions to make, and could start with Taylor up front.

These are his pre-match thoughts:

“They’ve changed things, I’ve watched them in a few of their games and they are dangerous. I think they are in better shape than when we played them at their place. They’ve got some good players.”

‎Bowyer may name this team:

Phillips; Matthews, Lockyer, Sarr, Purrington; Oshilaja, Pratley, Cullen,  Williams; Taylor, Green.

Subs: Amos, Solly, Pearce,  Doughty, Oztumer, McGeady, Hemed.

‎John Brooks of Leicestershire will be the man in the middle.

With this being a special promotion game, The Valley is assured of a big crowd. They will be desperate to see Charlton get a long overdue win.
Three points would be a real fillip at the start of a busy and critical month.