Lee Bowyer spoke to the local media on Thursday morning, ahead of Charlton’s trip to Bristol Rovers at the weekend.
It was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the 41-year-old, who has overseen three wins in as many matches since being named as Caretaker Manager, would stay in charge of the first-team for the remainder of the 2017/18 season.
Bowyer was asked about that as well as the upcoming run-in, in-form midfielder Joe Aribo and whether he could have any players back fit for the clash at the Memorial Stadium.
Supporters can watch Bowyer’s pre-match press conference in full on Valley Pass.
On being named caretaker boss until the end of 2017/18…
“I was told late on Tuesday. Obviously, I’m delighted and, for me, it’s a good opportunity to finish what I’ve started. We’ve got seven games to go and we’ve got stability until the end of the season, so that’s good for everybody I think.
“It doesn’t change anything, though. It makes absolutely no difference whatsoever [to the way I’ll do things]. We have to keep winning games and that is it. That is what my job is; I know that, everybody knows that and that is what I will be trying to do.”
On injuries…
“Ahmed Kashi is back available now – he’s a big player for us so to have him back is a big plus. Obviously, we’ve lost Tariqe and he’s going to be out for a couple of weeks. I won’t be too technical but he’s [Tariqe] got a bad groin.
“This is a different injury to his last one. It’s just one of those things, unfortunately; the pitch against Northampton was heavy and then on Monday he just tweaked it a bit. It is what it is but I think Sullay came on and did a great job, so when one person goes out it opens the door for somebody else.”
On in-form Joe Aribo…
“He’s a great player. He’s gone from being a good player to a great player and I think he’ll only improve. He’s only young and he’s improved so much in the time that I’ve been here.
“He will keep on improving because he’s a good lad and he wants to improve. He has the right attitude and right hunger for the game, so he’s going to be a very good player.
“Joe is capable of playing at a higher level, for sure, but that is down to him. He has to keep his feet on the ground, keep working hard, keep believing in himself because it’s a confidence thing with Joe."
The run-in…
“This league is very competitive and there’s a lot of good teams in this division, so I’m sure it’ll go right until the end. That’s why we just need to carry on winning games.
“I want to get into the play-offs, I want to get this club back into the Championship. I’m a winner and that’s what I believe we can do. If we don’t, it won’t be through a lack of trying. I’m a positive person and I believe in this squad of players, so we’ll pull together, work hard and see where that takes us.”