Charlton Athletic head coach wants livewire winger Blackett-Taylor – the subject of transfer window interest – to keep delivering big displays

Michael Appleton wants Corey Blackett-Taylor to keep delivering big performances – even if it means that the Charlton Athletic wideman is the subject of more transfer attention.

The attacker celebrated his 26th birthday with a goal in the Addicks’ 3-1 win over Wycombe today.

It handed head coach Appleton a winning start at The Valley.

Blackett-Taylor was the subject of interest in the summer transfer window and the former Aston Villa youngster is a free agent at the end of June.

Asked by the South London Press whether it was a double-edged sword if Blackett-Taylor continued to impress, Appleton said: “I’m very much here and now – I want him to play like that every week and score goals every week.

“If it is out of my hands and if he goes on to bigger and better things then so be it but all I would say is we have to make sure, and I know we will, that if that ever did happen we have got someone who can just slide in.

“We’ve got good players who can play off that left-hand side already is something did happen to Corey, god forbid.

“For me it is about enjoying him score goals and be aggressive – getting at people. Long may that continue.”

Appleton started off his Charlton career with a 1-1 draw at a Stevenage side who topped the table going into the fixture last weekend.

Next up were a Wycombe side unbeaten in five matches, taking 13 points from a possible 15.

Miles Leaburn and Slobodan Tedic both scored for Charlton, either side of Freddie Potts’ volley for the Chairboys.

Asked what it meant to get straight off the mark at The Valley, Appleton responded: “Huge. You want to get that first win as early as you possibly can. It’s almost like a striker joining a club and getting off the mark.

“Against a side like Wycombe it is even bigger, because they are on such great form. They have got players in that dressing room who are used to being around that top six every single year for the last half a decade – or more.

“So for the players to weather the storm like they did in that early part of the second half and come through it is hopefully going to breed confidence.”

PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS AND PAUL EDWARDS