Charlton Athletic boss pinpoints biggest miss for his side – and hopes EFL act correctly on Covid-postponed fixtures

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Lee Bowyer reckons that Charlton have badly missed the aerial prowess of Ryan Inniss.

The former Crystal Palace centre-back has been absent since the start of November with a quad injury.

The Addicks only conceded in one of his opening five matches after Inniss arrived in SE7 on October 13.

“One person who stands out for me is Ryan Inniss – we miss him so much,” said Charlton manager Bowyer.

“I was saying to Jacko [Johnnie Jackson] that Swindon’s goal at the weekend doesn’t happen if he is in the team.

“I’m not saying that Darren Pratley hasn’t stepped in there and been excellent – on Saturday he was outstanding. But we do miss Ryan’s physicality and aerial ability in both boxes.”

Brett Pitman’s 90th-minute header denied Charlton as they drew 2-2 at the County Ground.

The Addicks no longer play on December 29 after Peterborough postponed three matches due to positive Covid-19 tests.

Charlton also had their recent home game against Bristol Rovers called off for the same reason.

Bowyer said: “When the games get pushed back it should suit both teams and that doesn’t seem to be happening at the moment.

“We got told ‘you can have this date or this date’ and neither of those dates suit us.

“We were meant to play Bristol and they had one player and their manager out with Covid, which is not a lot. We’ve had two people out and just carried on. Sunderland had eight out and carried on [playing against AFC Wimbledon] because they knew they would possibly lose points. We have to hope the EFL do the right thing in those situations.

“It’s a tough situation but we’re all doing the best we can. It is a tight schedule and if games keep getting cancelled it is not going to work.”

The Addicks face Plymouth Argyle on Boxing Day. The Devon club knocked their opponents out of the FA Cup in November.