Revealed: Why Jason Pearce missed Charlton Athletic’s 1-1 draw at Doncaster Rovers

Jason Pearce missed Charlton’s 1-1 draw at Doncaster Rovers because he is still getting issues from his injured ankle.

The Addicks captain has played U23 games in recent weeks and was on the bench for the recent win over AFC Wimbledon.

But Pearce was absent from the matchday 18 at the Keepmoat Stadium.

“His ankle was still hurting him so we said there is no point you just keep playing through this at the moment,” said Charlton manager Lee Bowyer. “If there is anywhere we are strong at the moment it is that position – we’ve got Krystian Bielik who can fill in there and Anfernee Dijksteel.

“We need to get him right for when we do need him. He went for a scan on Friday morning and had another injection in the afternoon. We’re just trying to settle it down.

“His ankle ain’t right. It’s too early to say, regarding an operation. He has had some stuff put in there to loosen it up, because he is really stiff and tight at the front of his ankle. Then he had another injection to try and take away the pain.

“Hopefully that is going to work but we’ll know more in the next 48 hours.”
Bielik had to come off in the closing stages at the weekend.

“He just landed funny on the bottom of his back and hurt his coccyx – he’ll be fine,” said Bowyer.

“He’s got a week to recover and I’m sure he’ll be alright.”

Josh Parker, who had been laid low with a virus, scored twice for Charlton U23s in a 4-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Friday.

The former Gillingham man will come back into contention for Saturday’s home game against Portsmouth.

“Josh trained Monday, Tuesday and Thursday but just wasn’t his usual self,” said Bowyer. “I told him to play in the U23s and try to sweat it out. His chest sounded horrendous.

“I wanted him to play an hour and he lasted longer than that. He’ll be back with us now unless that game has knocked him back, but it shouldn’t have done.