Nathan Jones says his side must take the learnings from their trip to Stoke City last weekend, ahead of Wednesday evening’s clash with QPR under the lights at The Valley (8pm BST).
“We have had to recover, learn from things that happened at the weekend and the prepare for another really difficult Championship game,” the gaffer said.
Tyreece Campbell was substituted in the first half at the bet365 Stadium at the weekend.
“TC’s sub was precautionary,” he explained.
“It was also little bit of a tactical choice and, but he was feeling little bit of fatigue because of the games and the level he has played recently. The game we felt wasn’t quite dead but was very difficult to come back so we had to keep one eye on looking after a couple of people as well.”
The Addicks have been hampered by injuries in the opening weeks of the season, but the manager says the squad is beginning to return to a more settled position.
“We are in a better place. Josh Edwards and Charlie Kelman have trained fully which is a real boost for everyone, more so for them. Every day that passes we should be in a better position.”
“We have to be creative with defensive players, but we have the cover for that right-hand side at this moment in time and we know what we have to do. When we get to the international break, we will get defensive players back and that will be a big moment for us, you will see a different side to us.”
“Those two [Josh Edwards] and [Charlie Kelman] are the closest to being in contention and that adds things into the equation.”
Meanwhile, Jones expects a tough test from the visitors on Wednesday evening.
“They [QPR] have started very well, playing in a slightly different way to what they did last year, and the manager has had a year there. They have recruited well, they play in a really fluid style and we know we are going to have to be the best versions of ourselves,” he explained.
“They have had a similar style to us in terms of points, one draw, one defeat and three wins and their defeat came on the weekend ironically as well against Middlesbrough, we know it will be a tough test.”
Charlton have back-to-back home games this week, taking on QPR and Portsmouth within three days of each other.
“it is a big ask for the fans, two home games on the trot, an away and then we have a break of three weeks international break with no football. We need to get the crowd in, produce a get a good performance in and bounce straight back.”
“We have had two away games where it’s been a big ask again playing late Wednesday and again on Saturday. Now this is the reverse, in close proximity. We have to try and capitalise on being at home.”
