Charlton Athletic boss hopeful of striker return

Conor Washington could make his return to Charlton Athletic’s squad for their League One match at Crewe tomorrow.

The Northern Ireland international missed Sunday’s 1-0 FA Cup loss to Norwich due to a hamstring issue.

“We’re hopeful that Conor will be back involved with the group today ahead of travelling up to Crewe,” said Addicks manager Johnnie Jackson.

Top-scorer Jayden Stockley has missed the last couple of matches with a hip problem.

“He is just going to take a little bit longer,” said Jackson. “He saw a specialist the other day and it was positive news. We hope to have him back within the next few games.

“Ben Purrington took a bit of a whack with his back. He was a bit sore afterwards. But we think he should be fine.”

Charlton follow up their trip to face the Railwaymen with another away fixture at Cheltenham Town this weekend.

“With three games in six days it is about managing the squad and how best to freshen it up so that we give ourselves the best chance of going and getting six points,” said Jackson. “Rather than injuries, the challenge we have got is getting freshness on to the pitch so that we can produce what we produced on Sunday – in terms of intensity and level of performance.

“We need to do that again on Wednesday and Saturday.”

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS