Charlton boss Lee Bowyer: It’s a bit of a gamble signing an untested U21 player

Charlton are at their wage cap spending limit in League One – unless they take a chance on unproven youngsters.

The Addicks signed Ronnie Schwartz from FC Midtjylland this week as well as drafting in Liverpool winger Liam Millar on loan.

Clubs in England’s third tier narrowly voted in the spending curbs in the summer with the freshly-relegated South Londoners opposed to it.

“We’re at our limit now,” said Charlton manager Lee Bowyer. “We’re at the limit with bringing Ronnie in – so something has to give somewhere. Unless we bring in an U21.

“The cap is good for young players but obviously everyone is trying to get the best young ones. We have to be careful – the young ones are a bit of a gamble. A lot haven’t played first-team before or gone out on loan and played in real men’s football, they have just played U23.

“We’re looking all the time and working hard behind the scenes to try and change the squad.

“You have got to weigh up if you sign a 21-year-old on a permanent basis and give him what he wants, say a good wage for the year – it doesn’t interfere this season but all of a sudden if you don’t get promoted it does for the next one.

“It’s definitely a difficult balancing act.”