Charlton Athletic boss unsure on return date for defender

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer says there is no timescale yet for Lewis Page’s return from a groin injury.

The defender has been missing since October 2.

The Addicks signed Ben Purrington on loan from Rotherham United last Thursday and he made his debut in the 3-0 victory at Shrewsbury Town.

“Lewis is still getting pain – it is going but slowly,” said Bowyer.

“I’m hoping he will be back sooner rather than later but I’m not going to hold my breath. I don’t think there is a timeframe. It is each day and each week – how he reacts to certain stuff.

‘He had an injection last week so that has helped a little bit.”

Bowyer spoke to Rotherham assistant boss Richie Barker before signing Purrington.

“He spoke very highly of him – everybody we spoke to was the same about him,” said Bowyer. “He was very solid.

“He ain’t going to be Jay Dasilva and go past four – but we don’t want him for that. With Pearcey out we want stability down that side and he did very well on Saturday. He defended the back post well and was comfortable in possession, he doesn’t really give the ball away.

“You need to take into account he only had two days of training with the lads, that’s not very much.”