Will Mannion: Top-two finish in League One is 100 per cent still a target for Charlton Athletic

Will Mannion is not ruling Charlton Athletic out of the top-two finish as he eyes a first promotion of his career.

The Addicks goalkeeper, 26, kept a clean sheet in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Barnsley that moved Nathan Jones’ side up to fifth in League One.

Charlton have won eight and drawn one of their last 10 matches – the best points return over that period in the third tier.

And if they are able to maintain that form it is likely to mean they emerge as serious contenders for second place, which would mean avoiding the play-offs.

Asked by the South London Press if he allowed himself to think about winning a first promotion, Mannion said: “Yeah, one hundred per cent. It is what everyone wants to do this season – go up.

“It would be great to have on the CV and experience that as well. We’re all really pushing towards that at the moment.

“One hundred per cent (the top two remains a target). I don’t see why not. The main focus is just to focus on ourselves and keep what we’re doing going. Let’s see what happens.”

Mannion started the season as first-choice keeper before he tore a muscle in his hip which sidelined him for five weeks.

The former AFC Wimbledon youngster was then on the bench for 12 league matches until Ashley Maynard-Brewer got injured at Birmingham City.

Mannion came on at the break in the 1-0 loss to the Blues but has played the next three since – all victories.

Charlton have been so strong defensively that any player who is ruled out then tends to struggle to break back in.

“We’re not really sure how I did the injury but it kept me out for four or five weeks,” he said. “It is an occupational hazard that if you come out of the team and it does well then it is probably the last bit of the chain – the keeper. Ash did well when he came in. It was really hard to get back in but I was buzzing that the team was doing well as well.

“It speaks highly of the defensive displays that we’ve been putting in.

“Personally I’ve really enjoyed this season. I’ve played loads of games and I’m really happy.”

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS