CHARLTON manager Chris Powell will not rush Chris Solly back into first team action until the defender is confident enough to last a full 90 minutes.

The full-back spent most of the first half of the campaign on the sidelines because of a knee injury sustained in August before returning in the festive fixtures with Bolton, Brighton and Ipswich.

However, he hasn’t been involved again since the 1-1 draw at Portman Road on New Year’s Day and Powell confirmed Solly isn’t available for this weekend’s FA Cup fourth round trip to Huddersfield.

“No he won’t be,” the Valley chief said.

“He played over the Christmas period but at the present time he is not ready to come back into the cup game or the Doncaster or Wigan games at the moment.”

Powell was then asked if Solly’s continued absence was down to a complication with the original knee problem.

“A little bit,” the SE7 boss admitted.

“He has played the games and is not feeling too comfortable.

“As I’ve always said I’m never going to force any player to come out there and they are not 100 per cent in their minds thinking ‘I won’t get through this game’.

“The medical department are dealing with him.

“He is in good spirits but obviously he wants to play, but we are going to have to take our time and make sure he is fully comfortable before he goes out.”

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