“Goal machine” Lyle Taylor will be a big miss if he misses Charlton Athletic game against Birmingham City
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk
Charlton manager Lee Bowyer has admitted Lyle Taylor will be a “big miss” if he sits out tomorrow’s home game against Birmingham City.
The Addicks’ talismanic striker has played every minute in the Championship this season and scored in five of their six fixtures.
But Taylor, 29, cut short international duty with Montserrat – missing Tuesday’s CONCACAF match against Saint Lucia.
The Greenwich-born striker was shortlisted for the EFL’s Championship Player of the Month for August but Preston’s Daniel Johnson took the honour.
Taylor was snapped by a Charlton fan at Ebbsfleet station in a leg brace.
“It’s just a precaution,” said Bowyer. “We are going to try and get him out training tomorrow [Friday] and see how he responds to that.”
Taylor has been absolutely vital to Charlton’s success since the start of last season – scoring 30 goals in 51 matches for the South Londoners.
“He is our goal machine and he’s the one who makes things happen up top,” said Bowyer. “So he would be a big miss. It is his work-rate as well as his goals and creativity. Whenever the ball is in the final third you know he’ll hold it up or make something happen.
“If he does miss out it is a big blow, but as one door close another opens for someone else to take the opportunity – that’s the reality of the game. We’ve got Tomer [Hemed], Macca [Macauley Bonne] and Chuks [Aneke] who can come in to replace him.”
Bowyer was nominated for EFL Manager of the Month in August but new Swansea chief Steve Cooper collected the award.
It is the sixth time that the Addicks boss has been in contention for the managerial accolade since he took charge in SE7 in March 2018.
Bowyer had no complaints about Cooper, 39, getting the nod.
The Welshman is in his first senior management role and the Swans took 16 points – two more than Charlton – including a win over Leeds United.
“It is nice to be recognised and put forward for it,” said Bowyer. “But if he gets it then he deserves it. They are top of the league and have had a better start than us. So why shouldn’t he get it?”
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