Parky hints at loan swoop
Phil Parkinson has revealed he may be forced to again delve into the loan market ahead of Saturday's (3pm) game at Carlisle United after injuries to right-backs Frazer Richardson and Chris Solly.
Richardson is rated as doubtful for the date at Brunton Park after picking up a thigh injury against Gillingham last weekend.
But it was worse news for young Solly, who is likely to be out of action for around three months after suffering a knee injury in training last week which required surgery on Saturday.
As a result, Parkinson may look to bring in a right-back on a temporary basis as he looks to bolster his defensive options for the meeting with the Cumbrians.
"Frazer is a doubt," said Parkinson. "He's had a few knocks and I'd be surprised if he makes it. He's the kind of player who wants to play all the time but it might be a risk to play him.
"Chris had an operation and he'll be out for three months so we're struggling a bit at right-back. There's a possibility we could be getting someone in on loan before Carlisle and it's something we're working on now as we haven't got a right-back in the squad."
With Rob Elliot also out for up to six weeks with a torn adductor muscle, Parkinson brought in goalkeeper Carl Ikeme on an emergency loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday.
Darren Randolph, an unused substitute in every game this term, is another option to replace Elliot but Parkinson insists he will assess the performances of both goalkeepers in training on Friday before deciding who will start between the sticks at Carlisle.
Stated Parkinson: "We could have gone for a younger keeper to sit on the bench but if Darren then gets injured would we be confident of the younger one going in the first team?
"We had to be confident that we got someone who could play at this level and Carl is a serious contender to play on Saturday. He's a big, physical presence in goal and we're obviously pleased to get him. Obviously Wolves want him to play but there's nothing in the contract that says we have to."
Asked whether Ikeme would be handed the gloves at Brunton Park, Parkinson remained diplomatic.
"He's in the squad," said Parkinson. "But he can't play in the FA Cup game with Northwich Victoria next week so Daz has an opportunity to play in a big game which is live on ITV. Daz understands the situation and we'll make a decision on Friday after we've looked at both keepers in training."
Reflecting on the loss of undisputed number one Elliot, Parkinson mused: "Rob's done very well but you have to move on. You need to have contingency plans ready for situations like this and we're pleased with who we've got in Darren and Carl.
"Robbie managed to finish the game against Gillingham but he's got quite a serious injury. We've had it scanned and we're looking at four to six weeks. It was near the end of the game. He was sore afterwards but we didn't realise the extent of it until we had him scanned. It's a grade two adductor tear on his kicking side."
Leon McKenzie won't feature in Saturday's game as he continues to fight back from a thigh strain, but Jonjo Shelvey could be in contention to return to Parkinson's starting XI.
After playing the first 12 matches of the campaign, Shelvey has sat out the last couple of games on the bench.
However, Parkinson confirmed that the youngster was in his thoughts for the fixture with Carlisle, stating: "Jonjo's been superb in training. He played 12 games but teams started coming and making it difficult for him and I felt it was time for him to take a step back. He's done that but he's close to being back in the team as he's such a good player.
"Leon did a hard run on Wednesday and again on Thursday. We're in the same scenario he was in a few weeks ago so we want to get him up to speed fitness-wise until he stops picking up these niggly injuries."
Charlton will train at Blackburn Rovers' academy on Friday as they make the long trip up to Brunton Park - a game Parkinson believes will be a close encounter.
Carlisle won their first game in eight last weekend against Southend United and Parkinson said: "I've watched the DVD. It was a big game for them as they hadn't won for a while. They started the game quickly and put in a good performance so we know it's going to be a difficult match. We've got a break from league football after this so it's important we go into that period with another result."
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