Lee Bowyer is adamant his team would not have been affected by protests from Charlton fans. 

Demonstrations were set to take place against Rotherham on Easter Monday if there was no significant takeover progress. But with a deal close to end Roland Duchatelet’s reign in SE7, protests have been scrapped.

Charlton caretaker boss Bowyer told News Shopper: “It wouldn't have interfered with what I’m doing with the players at all and it wouldn't have interfered with the players on the pitch.

“But obviously I want the club to run as smoothly as possible so if that’s their decision to stop the protest then I’m grateful to let everybody focus on what our target is.

“That’s obviously to get in the play-offs.”

Charlton fans were instrumental in the club’s crucial win over promotion rivals Plymouth last Saturday.

And Bowyer wants the 800-plus travelling Addicks to have a similar impact at Northampton on Friday. 

He added: “They’ll be really important like Plymouth, they brought a load of fans down from the other side of the country. We’ll need them on Friday.

“When we play at home, we’ll need our fans and also when we play away. So hopefully they'll be vocal and we can send them home happy.”

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