Jason Pearce played all 90 minutes of Charlton’s Under-23 game at Ipswich on Monday. Pearce also replaced the injured Parick Bauer for the last 23 minutes at Milton Keynes last Saturday.
Pearce was injured at the end of September, and was further sidelined after playing against Swansea in the Checkatrade Trophy, and Blackburn at Ewood Park in December.
The Addicks have had defensive problems this season, but Karl Robinson has been unable to play his choice centre-back pairing of Pearce and Bauer, since the game against Bury at The Valley on 23 September.
Pearce is a born leader and talked Harry Lennon through the closing stages of the game on Saturday. His leadership qualities have been sorely missed.
With Bauer also likely to be available, Robinson could be able to field his first choice back four against Shrewsbury on Saturday.
Tariqe Fosu is expected to play against the Shrews after missing the trip to Milton Keynes with a muscle problem.
Another long term injury victim, Lewis Page, will also be an option for Robinson this week after successfully coming through a couple of Under-23 games.
The manager will be spoilt for defensive choice this week. Naby Sarr – missing since New Year’s Day – is also fit and available again.
Robinson is getting more options at just the right time. The final few weeks of the season will be crucial to Charlton’s play-off aspirations.
TAGS: Charlton Athletic