Charlton boss provides timeline for Alfie May return

Charlton boss Michael Appleton is hopeful that Alfie May will be available for this weekend’s match at Port Vale.

The Addicks’ top goalscorer missed Monday’s 2-1 defeat to Oxford United with a back issue.

Asked if was set to be back for the trip north on Saturday, Appleton said: “I hope so. It was a little bit gutting and disappointing he wasn’t available today. Obviously he was suffering a little bit, as we mentioned at Bristol, but I’d like to think and hope that with a clear week we can put ourselves in a position where we maybe get him on the pitch.”

Appleton was deprived of May, Chuks Aneke and Miles Leaburn.

Leaburn is not set to play again this season after a major hamstring injury.

Aneke has also been out since late October with a hamstring problem.

“Without the medical team really wanting to commit and give a definitive answer on it, I think back end of January would be quite a reasonable target,” said Appleton, when asked for a timeline for Aneke’s return.

On-loan Manchester City striker Slobodan Tedic missed the Oxford match due to concussion.

“He had one, I’m told, not too long ago which turned a six-day concussion into a 12-day,” said Appleton.

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD