CHARLTON boss Chris Powell heaped the praise on Ricardo Fuller after the striker’s sublime goal set his side on their way to three points against Peterborough.

Bottom-of-the-table Peterborough had been the better side before Fuller struck 13 minutes from the final whistle with the returning Yann Kermorgant wrapping things up late on.

News Shopper: But quickly goes to ground after feeling his hamstrings

But it wasn’t all cheers for Powell as Fuller went down clutching his hamstring having fired the Addicks ahead and he is now a big doubt for Saturday’s derby at Millwall.

“We certainly needed something like that to break the deadlock,” said Powell.

“It is part of the reason I brought a player like him to the club, a player that is a bit of a maverick talent.

“He’s quite special when he gets the ball to his feet, he doesn’t score many like that though, usually they come from mazy dribbles but it was a superb goal and it came at a crucial time because Peterborough were definitely in the ascendancy.

“It needed something like that to break the deadlock.”

News Shopper: Yann Kermorgant makes it 2-0

He added: “Ricardo felt his hamstring again.

“It’s the story of our season so far, but we’ll monitor him and hopefully it will settle down.

“I don’t think it has completely gone but he’s had problems in that area this season and we’ve got to do our best to make sure we get him out on that pitch more often than not.”

Peterborough will consider themselves hard done by to come out of the game with nothing and Powell acknowledged the visitors had played well.

The Valley chief said: “Peterborough definitely played their part.

“It doesn’t matter where you are in the Championship table, any team can perform and they performed very well.

“Obviously they’re down there for a reason and maybe it’s because they don’t have that real cutting edge.

News Shopper: Chris Powell

“But their approach play was very good, they have good principles but of course you’ve got to win the game and that’s why we’re out there.

“As managers you live and die by your results.

“Once we went 1-0 up the game was a bit more stretched and we got the second goal, which was very well worked, and a clean sheet too was good.

“There’s going to be times where we’re going to play better and not get much in return, so I’ll definitely take this.

“We’ve played better this year and lost.”

The victory was Charlton’s fourth in five matches and with neighbours Millwall currently on a 12-match unbeaten run, Saturday promises to be a real battle.

News Shopper: Eggert Jonsson prepares to come off the bench

Powell said: “We’ve lost one game in the last eight and we’re playing against a team that are really in a good place.

“We’ve done particularly well away from home this year and I’ll be looking for us to carry that on in a place that will test you on and off the field.

“It will test your physical and mental capabilities but that’s why we’re in this game.

“I’m looking forward to it and I’m sure it will be a real good local London derby.”

But Charlton will have to face the rampant Lions without ever-present centre-half Michael Morrison, who picked up his fifth booking of the season on Tuesday evening.

Powell couldn’t hide his disappointment with the news, but admitted it opens a window for another one of his defenders to impress.

He conceded: “It’s a shame because I think he’s done particularly well this season and did well under pressure from a lot of approach play from Peterborough.

News Shopper: Johnnie Jackson

“I thought he made some good timely interceptions and tackles and it’s a shame.

“But that’s why you have the squad.

“I’ve got Matt Taylor and Dorian Dervite who both want to play and sometimes you get an opportunity through someone else’s misfortune, whether that’s through injury or suspension, as it is in this case.

“It has happened so often this year with injuries and now someone gets an opportunity in what is a huge game against a team that are definitely in form.

“It’s a local derby and we need to make sure that we’re ready for it.”

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