Striker set for scan
Addicks striker David Mooney will have a scan on his knee early this week to assess the injury that forced him off the pitch against Millwall on Saturday.
The on-loan Reading striker had been an influential presence for the Addicks prior to his second-half departure against the Lions in the 4-4 draw.
Mooney was felled by defender Andy Frampton to earn a penalty, hit the post in the move that led to Lloyd Sam being fouled to gain a second spot-kick and also neatly cushioned a header back to Nicky Bailey, who volleyed the home side into a 3-2 lead.
But despite initially looking as though he could continue, the forward, whose loan from the Madejski Stadium runs until the end of the year, eventually limped to the dressing room with his disappointment clear for the Valley faithful to see.
"Mooney's going to have to have a scan on his knee, so that's a blow for us, but we'll know more about it in the week," said manager Phil Parkinson.
Regardless of the extent of the injury, Mooney is likely to be doubtful for the next game, the Boxing Day clash with Swindon Town at The Valley (1pm), when Charlton will also be without the suspended Lloyd Sam. The winger collected his fifth booking of the season on Saturday, and will serve a one-game ban.
Parkinson spoke of his disappointment with the referee's display following Saturday's match, and reiterated his points when he discussed Sam's caution.
"Sometimes in games like that, you've got to manage situations, and I didn't think that Lloyd needed to be brought over and spoken to at all, it was a nothing incident," said Phil. "In the first half, Mooney's booking was right in front of me and he chested the ball and it hit him between his shoulder and his chest.
"The referee was about 15 yards behind it and couldn't possibly have seen it, so if he decides to give a free-kick, then fair enough, but to book him was just ridiculous."
Four other Addicks - Christian Dailly, Miguel Llera, Izale McLeod and Kelly Youga - currently have four bookings, and will earn a one-match suspension if they are yellow carded in either of the two remaining matches in 2009, against Swindon and then Brentford on December 28th.
From the new year, the five-caution landmark raises to 10 bookings before a suspension is incurred.
Despite the draw, Charlton maintained an unbeaten home record dating back to March, and the second-placed Addicks are four points clear of the play-offs for Christmas.
And, after watching his men come back from going 2-0 behind in the first half, Parkinson identified a number of further reasons to be positive about his side's display.
"I felt it was a great learning curve for Grant [Basey] and Scotty [Wagstaff], and even Robbie [Elliot] can be put in that category of our younger players," he said.
"It was a difficult game for them and generally, I thought they coped well. We spoke about being up for the derby atmosphere but playing with cool heads as well - at times we did OK and at times we got caught up in the derby atmosphere."
It was no surprise to see top scorer Deon Burton among the goals, as the Jamaica international took his tally for the season to 12 with two successful penalties to haul the hosts level.
The forward has netted seven times in his last eight league games, and although four of those have been from the spot, Parkinson emphasised that players still have to put the ball in the back of the net.
"I'm pleased for Deon," he said. "He took those penalties very well and you need your penalty taker to consistently put the ball in the back of the net when you get your pens. Deon did that and he could have had a hat-trick."
The manager added: "I'd love to be stood here and saying that Bailey's goal was the main talking point of the day as well, because it was a tremendous finish.
"When it dropped to Nicky, you just felt that he was going to score, and that's a mark of what a good player he is; you had a feeling that as soon as it left his boot that it was going into the top corner."
Tickets for Saturday's Boxing Day match against Swindon, which kicks off at the earlier time of 1pm, are currently on general sale, priced £17, £22 and £25 adults, £17 over 60s and U21s, and £5 U18s in all areas.
Places are available in person from the Valley commercial centre, by calling the ticket hotline on 0871 226 1905, and online.
Fans can also book £7-per-head Valley Express return travel to the stadium from more than 70 pick-up points. Get more details about the pick-up points and times here.
Calls to 0871 226 1905 cost 10p per minute from a BT landline. Calls from other networks and mobiles may cost more
Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Directions | © Charlton Athletic 2010
