Lee Bowyer explained his Charlton side are fully focused on Saturday’s game against Gillingham.
The Addicks have been out of league action since extending their winning streak to six with an impressive 3-2 win against Fleetwood Town at the start of the month.
Charlton signed 10 players following the arrival of Thomas Sandgaard in September and have steadily climbed the table since.
Bowyer said the start has been better than he envisaged: “To be sitting where we are, we’re fourth at the moment. We will get stronger, the players will gel and we’ll get to do more work with them on training pitch, so they all understand what is expected of them and the way we want to play but we just didn’t physically have that time when we signed the players.
“These last two weeks we’ve had a bit of time to do some stuff behind the scenes, some shape play and what is expected and it’s been really good. The training has been good and the standard has got higher, which will keep happening the more we train together.”
Supporters in England, Wales and Scotland can purchase the live stream of Saturday's game against Gillingham and be in with a chance of winning a Range Rover. Click here for more.
Bowyer, liked Sandgaard, insisted he isn’t getting distracted by rumours about Paul Elliott and Chris Farnell. He said: “I just focus on what I am paid to do and that is the football side of things. I don’t really listen to that, someone made me aware of it but I didn’t even listen to what was on the radio. I couldn’t even tell you what was said. It’s not my concern.”
The Addicks take on Gillingham on Saturday, with the game kicking off at 1pm.
“We’ll be staying at home the night before, it’s not too far to travel,” Bowyer said, “I’m not concerned about the time of the kick-off. 1pm is a bit of strange one but it is fine, it won’t disturb us too much.”
The Charlton Manager also praised Gillingham boss Steve Evans. He said: “Steve is definitely a character, he is very vocal on the sidelines, him and his assistant; but I like Steve. I get on with Steve. I have that mutual respect with everyone that is in the opposite dugout and Steve is no different.
“He’s doing a great job there, I have to say that, I know it is difficult for Gillingham financially and he’s put a squad together and he is getting the best out of them. It is a tough place to go. The one thing his players do is give him 100% and I’ve seen that in the games I’ve watched. It is definitely going to be a tough game, my players will have to be ready physically, then we have to do what I like them to do, so it will be an interesting game.”
Bowyer revealed Jason Pearce, Deji Oshilaja and Alex Gilbey were all close to returns following injuries. He also said that Akin Famewo is back on the grass but not training with the first team yet following his injury. He added that Jonny Williams had picked up a minor groin injury while on international duty.
Supporters in England, Wales and Scotland can purchase the live stream of Saturday's game against Gillingham and be in with a chance of winning a Range Rover. Click here for more.
Valley Pass subscribers and supporters who have purchased a match pass for Gillingham can watch Bowyer's full press conference below.