Josh Cullen on Lee Bowyer’s new Charlton deal – and why he won’t be taking a break from training
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
Josh Cullen has welcomed Lee Bowyer signing a new long-term contract at Charlton Athletic.
The Addicks announced on Wednesday that Bowyer had put pen to paper on an extension.
Cullen, on a season-long loan from West Ham United, said: “It’s a very positive thing for the club.
“As players you want to be at a stable club and obviously with the new owners coming in and rewarding Bow with what he deserves – a long-term contract – now we can just focus on what we need to focus on on the pitch and look forward to finishing the season in strong fashion.
“Before I was at the club I know he got them in the play-offs, came up short that season, and the following season he got us out of League One. He’s doing a great job now in the Championship.
“The work he’s done deserves to be rewarded.”
Charlton extended their unbeaten league run at The Valley to four matches with a 0-0 draw against Fulham on Wednesday.
Cullen said: “We have to respect Fulham. They are a top side. To get a point, we’re happy with that. We’ve just now got to make it a good point, with the fixtures we’ve got coming up.”
Cullen revealed he only had four training sessions before playing the 90 minutes against Fulham.
And while many of the Charlton players were getting a few days off to rest up, the Republic of Ireland international is not one of them.
“It’s tough on the body but I feel good. I think I’ll benefit from the game and the 90 minutes – getting back to the level I want to be at.
“I trained twice before the Preston game and twice this week. I’ll be off tomorrow and then in Friday and Saturday training – because I know I’ve still got work to do to get back where I want to be.
“Credit to the lads who stuck at it over Christmas when bodies were thin. It’s good to have players back. To be able to bring Jonny Williams, Lyle Taylor and Andre Green off the bench – they are good subs when you want to try and win a game and freshen things up.
“When everyone is fit we have got competition for places and the manager can afford to rotate things as well.”
PHOTO BY PAUL EDWARDS
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