Charlton Athletic set for striker boost – with Conor Washington closing in on return

Johnnie Jackson could soon be able to pair Jayden Stockley and Conor Washington in his Charlton Athletic attack – with the latter closing in on a first-team return.

A back problem had ruled Stockley out for two months but the club’s top-scorer was back in the squad for Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Sheffield Wednesday, coming on at the start of the second period.

A muscle injury has kept Northern Ireland international Washington on the sidelines since early February.

Chuks Aneke and Corey Blackett-Taylor, other offensive players, have also been unavailable due to knocks.

“Conor is definitely getting closer to fitness,” Addicks boss Jackson told the South London Press. “I would expect to have him back pretty soon. If he’s not available this weekend then hopefully he’ll get back training next week and have some involvement against Accrington.

“Chuks is a little bit further down the line. He’s progressing well but it is a bit more of a significant injury and is going to take a bit longer.”

Goalkeeper Stephen Henderson (calf) is another in the treatment room.

Stockley could be in line to start for Charlton against Sunderland on Saturday.

“He came in and did 45 at Sheffield Wednesday – probably longer than what I intended with him,” said Jackson. “I was maybe looking at 20 minutes to half an hour because of the length of time he’d been out. But it was the sort of game where I needed to make a change at half time and get the big man on.

“He came through fine and has had a good week of training. I think he’s in a position where he could now [start].

“He was playing really well before his injury. Him and Conor formed a really good partnership, it was the bedrock of our success we were having at that stage. For that to get ripped up, it disrupted us.

“It’s not just the goals Jayden brings but his performances and his presence in both boxes. It’s something we’ve really missed.

“We’ve got to get him back to his level – that won’t happen overnight, but it will happen. Hopefully we will give him support up there and he’ll have a big impact on the team.”

MAIN PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS