Frazer out, Rob's a doubt
Phil Parkinson has confirmed that Frazer Richardson will miss this weekend's fixture at Yeovil Town, while Rob Elliot remains a major doubt for the trip to Huish Park.
After missing three games - all defeats for Charlton - with a thigh injury, Richardson returned to the Addicks' starting XI against Milton Keynes Dons on Saturday only to suffer a recurrence of a hamstring problem in the second half.
Parkinson has revealed that the right-back has since seen a back specialist in a bid to cure his injury niggles, and has ruled the former Leeds United man out of the clash with the Glovers.
"Frazer is out,” said Phil. "We need to get to the bottom of his problem, so we sent him to see a specialist this week. We feel a lot of his problems are coming from his back.”
On who would fill in at right-back against Yeovil, Parkinson added: "We've got Elliot Omozusi and we've got Kelly Youga who can play there, so we've got a couple of options."
The Addicks are also likely to be without goalkeeper Elliot, who continues to be troubled by an adductor muscle problem suffered in the 1-1 draw at Gillingham last month.
The shot-stopper is close to full fitness, but it appears he is unlikely to be risked in Somerset, with Parkinson stating: "Robbie's coming on well. However, with an injury like his you can be 95 per cent right but find the last five per cent is the hard part. He's getting very close, though."
The 23-year-old's place is again likely to be taken by on-loan Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, who has been preferred by Parkinson to Darren Randolph in Elliot's absence.
Randolph did start the FA Cup first-round exit at Northwich Victoria, however, as Ikeme was not given permission to play in the competition by Wolves, and was one of the few Addicks players to come out of the game with any credit.
But Parkinson said: "I've got to make a decision and I've got to stand by it. Darren's attitude has been first class and I can't praise him enough for that. I understand he's been frustrated but I can only make the call on what I see for each game. There was certainly no pressure to play Ikeme from Wolves."
The 5-1 thumping of MK Dons was just the tonic for the Addicks after three successive league and cups defeats.
And the Addicks manager has called for a similar display at Huish Park, where windy conditions are again likely to play a part following the gusty affair with the Dons.
"It will be another difficult game," mused Parkinson. "The conditions are forecast to be tough again so it's a game where we need to show the same attitude and application we did against MK Dons. That was a big win for us and we put in a tremendous performance. All I'm concerned about now is that we build on it."
Charlton went a goal down against the Dons before responding with a five-goal salvo, and Parkinson continued: "It stands us in good stead when you see the way we responded. We've done that a few times this season.
"We could have been two down if it wasn't for a great block by Kelly on the line and moments like that can change the course of the game. We felt throughout the match that we looked a real goal threat and always looked like scoring. To be successful, you need to score goals."
Parkinson switched to a 4-4-2 formation against Paul Ince's side - a move that paid clear dividends for his strikeforce of David Mooney and Deon Burton and the return to central midfield of Nicky Bailey, with Therry Racon moving to the left flank.
Said Parkinson: "You've got to have a couple of systems in the locker and it had got to the stage where teams were making it difficult for us, certainly at home, when we were playing a certain way. We've changed it and it keeps opposition managers guessing.
"There's a few people pushing for a place - Leon McKenzie, Akpo Sodje, Scott Wagstaff, Jonjo Shelvey and Miguel Llera to name but a few. They're unlucky not to be in the team, but unfortunately we can only pick 11 players."
Asked specifically about starlet Shelvey, Parkinson responded: "Jonjo's figured in nearly every game we've had, but in that area we have got a lot of competition for places and I will pick the best players for each individual game.
"Therry likes to play central midfield but so does Nicky, and he embraced that position on Saturday. He had a real go for the team and so did Therry. If T's selected there on Saturday we expect him to do the same. He's a good player."
The win over promotion rivals Dons kept Charlton in second place in League One and on course for an immediate return to the Championship.
"To get promoted you need two points per game," declared Parkinson. "We've just got to keep it going. We've got no distractions or excuses in terms of cup games."
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