Charlton feared Harry Isted had suffered major knee injury – free agent goalkeeper market will be monitored

Charlton head coach Michael Appleton has revealed there were concerns that Harry Isted could face a major spell on the sidelines – but a scan on his injured knee has allayed those fears.

The Addicks keeper missed Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Exeter City with Ashley Maynard-Brewer back between the posts.

Isted, signed on a free transfer in the summer after leaving Luton, suffered his injury in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Shrewsbury.

“It’s nowhere near as bad as what we feared,” said Appleton. “When he turned up yesterday (Monday) we were a little bit fearful because he was sore and he was stiff. But since having the scans, possibly four to six weeks. It could’ve been a lot worse than that.

“When he made the save (at Shrewsbury) from the long-range effort he hyper-extended his leg. I’ve watched it a couple of times. It reminds me of when I did my injury a long, long time ago but I was a little less fortunate.”

Charlton had youngster Henry Molyneux on the bench as back-up to Maynard-Brewer in midweek.

Asked if he would look to delve into the emergency loan market, Appleton said:  “We can’t bring one in, initially. The ruling, as far as I know, is that if your second keeper has played less than five games you can bring someone else in.

“Clearly tonight if that was the rule we’d be alright because we’ve got young H on the bench. But Ash has played more than five league games.

“It’s one where we just have to be aware of what the emergency situation is – who is available.

“I think the only way we are going to get to bring someone in without potentially, god forbid, Ash getting injured is people who are free transfers. There are still two or three out there that could be a possibility.

“Definitely the news we got on H only being four to six weeks was a big boost because we were worried it could be months rather than weeks.

“We’re aware and ready to go, if we need to.”