Wednesday was an incredible day for news at The Valley, as the summer finally exploded into life.

First came details of a match against Queens Park Rangers. The game will fill the void caused by moving the Welling game to 14 July.

Charlton will play their London neighbours on 7 July, immediately after returning from the training camp in Portugal.

The game will be played behind-closed-doors at Rangers’ training ground in Harlington.

Former Norwich and Aston Villa keeper, Andy‎ Marshall, has been appointed goalkeeping coach, replacing Millwall bound Lee Turner.

43-year-old Marshall, who also spent time at the Den as a player, had this to say about his new job:

“I’ve joined a young, dynamic coaching outfit. A young, dynamic team. I’ve already had a chat with Lee (Bowyer) and a chat with Jacko about what they want from the goalkeepers, what they want from myself and I’m looking forward to getting started and working with the boys.”

Caretaker boss Bowyer said:

“I rang an old friend of mine, Shay Given, and asked if he knew of anyone and he recommended Andy Marshall.

“I knew Andy from my England days in the Under-18s and Under-21s. I played with him then so he came in and I met with him a couple of times.

“He’s very good. He was goalie coach to Shay Given at Aston Villa. He’s a good lad and he’s going to be passing on good knowledge to the keepers that we have.”

‎And at last there was a signing. It has been an open secret that the Addicks have been pursuing AFC Wimbledon striker, Lyle Taylor.

Bowyer had to beat off fierce opposition from other clubs, including Sunderland, to land his top target.

The 28-year-old scored 55 goals for the Wombles in his three year spell at Kingsmeadow, including a treble‎ against Charlton last season.

He netted twice in a Second Round FA Cup tie – one a penalty – and he also scored the winner in the league game at Kingsmeadow.

He had this to say after completing the deal:

“I’m really looking forward to getting started and seeing where we can go this year.
“It’s going to be a challenge, this is a difficult league, but we’re going to do everything we can to get out of it.

“I’ll fight and scrap and do everything I can to get points for the team. My job is to put the ball in the back of the net, but if it means I’ll have to throw my weight around, I will do whatever is necessar‎y.”

Bowyer was naturally thrilled to land his number one target, despite the player being offered a more lucrative deal by Sunderland. Here are Bowyer’s thoughts:

“He’s my first signing as a manager and what a signing it is. He was our main target in the summer.
“He obviously had interest from other clubs. There was a big club in our division that made him a much better offer and I think it just shows the lad’s attitude to come to us.

“His decision to come was based on football, simple as that, and I think that shows where we are as a club and the stature we’ve got.

“He’s a top striker in this division, he scores goals. He’s the all-around striker. He runs in behind, holds the ball up, wins his headers. He’s got everything.

“For him to bring the goals with the chances we are creating, I’m expecting big things from him and I’m sure he is himself.”