Johnnie Jackson and Ricardo Vaz Te could be left out of Charlton’s starting eleven for the crucial Championship clash with Bolton at the Valley this evening.
The Addicks go into the fixture just one point above the relegation zone after Saturday’s goalless tie with Leeds, while Bolton are winless in 14 games.
Karel Fraeye will view the match against bottom-placed Bolton as a superb opportunity to claim a vital victory ahead of a testing festive period.
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News Shopper understands that skipper Jackson and forward Vaz Te may start the game from the bench.
Jackson, 33, returned to first-team action on Saturday having missed the defeat at Brighton due to a hamstring problem.
While the midfielder’s importance to the team cannot be overstated, the club are keen not to burn him out ahead of a hectic and important winter schedule and know his situation must be managed.
Vaz Te, who has impressed in his limited appearances since signing for Charlton in November, is still working on his match fitness after a fairly substantial lay-off.
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The former West Ham star was unfortunate not to open his account for the Addicks against Ipswich and Leeds, being denied by some excellent stops from Dean Gerken and Marco Silvestri.
With Vaz Te possibly operating from the bench, Denmark international Simon Makienok could be handed a first start since the Ipswich clash.
The Palermo talisman endured a frustrating afternoon against the Tractor Boys and was left out of Fraeye’s team which lined up against league leaders Brighton.
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