Charlton Athletic virus leaves boss Lee Bowyer and Dillon Phillips under the weather

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer and goalkeeper Dillon Phillips are the latest players to go down with a virus which is sweeping through the first-team squad.

The Addicks chief was unwell over the weekend.

Alfie Doughty was due to start in Friday’s 2-2 draw with Hull City but felt unwell before kick off and was withdrawn from the matchday 18.

Bowyer said: “Dillon and myself have had it over the weekend. You feel like you have got no energy.

“I’m hoping it doesn’t spread any further because the problem is if someone gets it a little later this week then they could be too weak to play at the weekend. It is just draining and knocks everything out of you.

“If a player got it Tuesday then they’d struggle to play Saturday. We’re low on numbers as it is.”

There is some good news for Charlton with Jonny Williams and Sam Field – both ruled out with knee injuries – due to return at QPR.

“Sam is due to be back with us Wednesday and hopefully he and Jonny will get through the next couple of days. We have to be careful – like with Lyle [Taylor]. Lyle will be ready to start now. Whether we just chuck him in, I don’t know.

“It might be a case of giving him another 45 minutes. We’ll see how it goes this week.

“At least a couple more are coming back.”

PICTURE BY PAUL EDWARDS