Charlton boss Bowyer: Birmingham City will pose different test on Saturday

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Lee Bowyer is expecting his former club Birmingham City to pose a different challenge for Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

The Addicks look to maintain their unbeaten start in the Championship when they face the Midlands outfit this weekend.

Bowyer had more than two years with City towards the end of his playing days, winning the League Cup with them in 2011.

“They are solid,” said the Charlton manager. “They try to be difficult to beat and have got players who can hurt you going the other way.

“It is going to be completely different to the way we have played so far. Other teams have come and tried to beat us, which is the opposite [of this weekend]. They will come to be solid and they are good at set-plays. They have got a striker who is very good.

“The way they will set up is not just for us. They did it against Brentford and Swansea – difficult to beat and try and nick a goal here and there. They did the same at Stoke last time out. Stoke were 1-0 up but they managed to turn it around. The young lad who is 16 [Jude Bellingham] came off the bench and scored with a big deflection

“We have to be careful out of possession, for sure. But I think if we do things right, move the ball correctly, then we’re going to create chances. It is whether we take them. The first goal is going to be massive.”

Charlton could have defender Deji Oshilaja back from an ankle knock.

“He just started training again with us on Tuesday,” said Bowyer. “So he’ll carry on training today and tomorrow. He won’t be too far away.”