Charlton have a break from their relentless Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday schedule this week, and it will give Karl Robinson time to reflect on his team’s indifferent form of late.

The Addicks have taken just five points from the five games they have played since the beginning of November, and have also exited the FA Cup despite fielding a strong team.

Robinson has had more than his fair share of injuries to deal with, but he has decent options in most sections of the team.

The side clearly needs freshening up, and the manager is keen to bring in a new face or two when the January transfer window opens. But can he change things before then?

Chris Solly is as reliable as ever, and Jay Dasilva has been one of the stand out players of recent times. Though good players in their own right, Ezri Konsa and Naby Sarr are not an ideal pairing in central defence though.

Neither of them are particularly vocal, and they have both looked more assured when Patrick Bauer has been in the team. Bauer is out for a few weeks with a foot injury, but Jason Pearce is now fit again.

Pearce is a natural leader and Robinson will be looking to restore him to the starting line-up as soon as possible.

Ahmed Kashi is another who is ruled out for a few weeks with a foot injury. The Algerian started the season in sensational form, but the heavy work load after such a lengthy absence has taken its toll.

Kashi has not been at his best recently and the injury may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. With Pearce available again, Robinson could push Konsa into midfield, and Joe Aribo and Anfernee Dijksteel are other options to partner Jake Forster-Caskey.

The team has been over reliant on Ricky Holmes for creativity, and the current Player of the Year has not been at his peak in recent games.

Billy Clarke and Ben Reeves have both been injured, so Holmes has been used in a central role at times. He is at his most dangerous when playing on the flanks though.

Reeves’ Charlton career has not really got going yet, but he has shown an eye for goal, and Robinson will be looking to him to be one of his key players in the second half of the season.

Mark Marshall missed the early months of the campaign through injury and has yet to discover his best form at The Valley.

He was voted Bradford’s Player of the Year last season and has undoubted talent. Much will be expected of him in the New Year.

Karlan Ahearne-Grant has been in good form lately, and could be a real asset if he maintains his confidence.

Ahearne-Grant is at his most effective when played through the middle, though most of his appearances have been in wide areas this season.

Josh Magennis is another player who has lost some of his early season sparkle. The busy schedule has had an effect, and Magennis has also been a regular in the Northern Ireland team.

He is often used on the left for his national team, and it could be where his future lies at The Valley.

Leon Beat is a more technically gifted player, and started up front against Peterborough recently, with Magennis on the left.

So plenty for Robinson to ponder as he makes his plans for the rest of the month.

His side face difficult trips to Blackburn, Southend and Wigan, with Blackpool being the only visitors to The Valley.

The Addicks have an easier start to the New Year though. They start with home games against Gillingham and Oldham, followed by a trip to Bury, before Walsall visit The Valley.

The manager will have players returning from injury over the next few weeks, and will have the opportunity to make full use of his squad.