“You’ve got to fight” – Lee Bowyer on the scrap to be in Charlton’s matchday squads

Lee Bowyer has spelled out that every one of his Charlton players has to fight to be in his matchday 18.

Senior professionals including Ben Purrington, Omar Bogle and Paul Smyth were all absent for the 2-2 draw with Swindon Town on Saturday.

Bogle is battling with Chuks Aneke and new recruit Jayden Stockley for a striking spot.

“Like I always say for every position – it is competition for places,” said Addicks manager Bowyer. “You don’t want there to be much between your options, you set a level and standard of player.

“Then it is up to them fighting for your place. That is no different with Omar. It is no different with Chuks or Jayden. There are going to be two positions on a matchday – one to start and one to be on the bench and then the other one will miss out.

“That’s not just Omar, just in general that is the way football is.

“We’ve got probably the two best right-backs in the division. I’m fortunate there. Both can’t normally play but at the moment they have because I’ve had to slide Gunts [Chris Gunter] across. When I do that I’ve got an excellent player to come in who doesn’t make us any weaker.

“We’ve got two good goalies. We’ve got two good left-backs and we’ve got good competition in midfield.

“Because we seem to be going Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday if we do bring someone out to have a rest we need their replacement to be as good so that we don’t weaken the team too much going into the next match.”