Lee Bowyer talks about one position he definitely needs to add to in next transfer window

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer knows one key position he needs to add to in the January transfer window – admitting signing another left-back is a priority.

First choice Lewis Page is sidelined with a groin problem and a lack of options in that area has seen right-footer Chris Solly shifted to that side.

But with Krystian Bielik hopefully fit for Saturday’s home game against Barnsley, it could allow Naby Sarr to switch to left-back with the on-loan Arsenal man partnering Jason Pearce in defence.

Asked about January transfer window plans, Bowyer told the South London Press: “We definitely need a left-back, I can tell you that.

“That is something we are working on now. Krystian is Pat Bauer’s cover, so we have been unlucky there. That has hurt us in the past couple of games – we’ve not have that balance to the side. We’ve got four centre-backs, so that should be alright, in midfield I think we’re good – Billy Clarke is coming back and can fit in there. Up front I think we’re good.

“The only position really is left-back that we feel we need to strengthen.

“But that depends on whether West Ham call Josh [Cullen] back. Hopefully Josh will stay.We think Wardy [Jamie Ward] will be going back [to Forest] no matter what in January. That’s out of our hands.

“With some of the loans, like Krystian, there is a call-back clause in January. But I think they’d leave him with us because he has done well for us and is getting games – it’s beneficial to us and it’s beneficial to Arsenal.

“The only one we might lose is Wardy because that one is only until January. Come January they could say we can have him again, that could happen.

“But the only position we 100 per cent need to strengthen is left-back, because we only have Pagey. It will probably just be a loan. We’ve got someone in mind. But it is looking like a loan, because we’re re-signing Pagey on a new deal – hopefully.”