Charlton boss Lee Bowyer insists that his injury-hit squad will be ready for Saturday’s clash against promotion-rivals Barnsley.
The Addicks suffered a rare defeat on Boxing Day – losing late on at Coventry City – and the busy Christmas period next pits them against The Tykes at the weekend.
Barnsley sit just one point behind fourth-placed Charlton and Bowyer, who has eight first-team players missing through injury or suspension at the moment, says his squad will be prepared for the challenge.
“It’s going to be tough – they all are – but we will go there and we’ll be ready,” he said. “We’ll definitely give an account of ourselves.
“Barnsley are a physical side and they can play as well. They have got players that can play and that can hurt you. They have come down from the Championship, they have got a bit of everything and they showed that when we played them at home.
“We’ll definitely have to compete because it will be difficult. First at foremost, we will compete and then we’ll see where that takes us.”
One player who could feature for the Addicks at Oakwell is Karlan Grant, who returned from a hamstring injury on Boxing Day.
Bowyer said: “Karlan made a bit of a difference in the second half [against Coventry]. He used his pace, he won some headers, backed in, fought for the ball and made an impact. Having him back was a positive.”