‘Real positive’ – Charlton Athletic get striker injury boost

Charlton Atheltic boss Dean Holden says there is no muscle damage to Chuks Aneke’s hamstring.

The forward came on in the 63rd minute during last week’s EFL Cup win over Premier League Brighton & Hove Albion but was replaced just five minutes after being introduced by Jayden Stockley due to a hamstring injury.

Aneke, who suffered a calf problem which saw him miss the start of the season, was also absent for the Boxing Day clash against Peterborough United.

“It’s a real positive with Chuks,” said Holden.

“In terms of the scans coming back, there is no muscle damage. He is still feeling something, so there are still some investigations to look into what that is and why.

“The belly of the muscle is intact, and that’s a real positive because until you get that scan result back, you’re not quite sure how it can go.

“We need to get to the bottom of it with Chuks. He has had some injury problems previously, so we need to make sure we can get him back fit as soon as we can.”

The Addicks travel to Karl Robinson’s Oxford tonight, with Holden looking to claim his first win as Charlton boss and end a club run of seven League One outings without picking up all three points.

“There has been a little bit of that [sickness] in the camp,” confirmed Holden, speaking about team news ahead of the trip to The Kassam.

“Injury wise. There are one or two we are looking at who can’t play three games in six days due to different reasons – [such as] previous injury records.

“We have to take that information in and use it wisely. We will pick a team tomorrow, and it will probably change again on Sunday [against Portsmouth], just by the nature of whoever decided on the football calendar.

“It’s pretty made [having] three games in six days, but we have got a big enough squad to cope with that.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD