Charlton Athletic injury news – Leko set to be available as Souare and Arter absences explained

Birmingham City loanee Jonathan Leko is set to be available for Charlton Athletic’s match at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.

The 22-year-old attacker has missed the last four League One matches – and the FA Cup win over Havant & Waterlooville – with a hip injury.

But Leko travelled with the Addicks squad for their 2-2 draw at Morecambe on Tuesday night.

Asked about the decision to make the former West Brom player make the journey, Charlton caretaker manager Johnnie Jackson said: “Because we’d have been away from the training ground for a few days. There would have been people there he could’ve worked with but he wouldn’t have been up close.

“I wanted him in the meetings and seeing what we’re doing, how we’re playing and what messages we’re giving. It’s important to keep him a part of that. Josh Hornby is our leading sports science and I wanted him to have hands on Jonathan, so that he’d be in control of everything he does.

“Hopefully he’ll be available on Saturday.”

Jason Pearce (knee) remains a doubt after not featuring since coming off in the second half of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Plymouth at The Valley.

“He is going to be touch and go,” said Jackson. “Hopefully he can be involved but we’re taking that day by day.”

Pape Souare also travelled for the fixture at the Mazuma Stadium but did not make the matchday 18.

“I wanted him in and around the squad,” said Jackson. “He is training well.”

Harry Arter is likely to get more game time in next week’s EFL Trophy tie against Aston Villa U21s. Charlton follow up with an FA Cup tie at Gateshead next Friday night.

“Harry is fit,” said Jackson. “It’s just he hasn’t played the games. It is difficult because the players in that position are doing well and he has found his opportunities limited. It’s the same with Pape, [Ben] Purrington is playing well. We have got so many games coming up that everyone is going to be needed and everyone is going to play their part.”