Charlton boss Lee Bowyer talks of a difficult afternoon for Reeco Hackett-Fairchild and praises Josh Parker for his Addicks debut

Lee Bowyer was pleased with Josh Parker’s Charlton Athletic debut, but felt a first league start for Reeco Hackett-Fairchild may have been a bit of a wake-up call.

Striker Parker joined the Addicks on a short-term deal after leaving fellow League One side Gillingham. The Valley outfit needed to strengthen in that department after Karlan Grant’s sale to Premier League Huddersfield Town. He came on ten minutes into the second-half of the 1-0 defeat at Fleetwood Town.

Fellow frontman Hackett-Fairchild made his full league debut for the South Londoners at Highbury, but Bowyer felt the 21-year-old had a difficult afternoon.

“Reeco, for me, it’s a learning day for him,” said Bowyer.

“Because it was tough for him. I think he found it difficult.”

“I thought Josh did OK when he came on,” he added.

“Worked hard. I felt sorry for him, he just didn’t get enough quality balls into him in the final third.”

Bowyer was also able to introduce Igor Vetokele from the bench. The forward had been out for eleven weeks after suffering a dislocated shoulder in the away win at Walsall back in November.

“It was good to see him back but we’re going to have to work hard with him now. He’s got to get fit as quick as possible because we don’t have many options now. The quicker we can get him fit, the better for everybody.”