Charlton boss Karl Robinson has praised Lee Novak following his departure from the club last night.

Novak’s contract was terminated by mutual consent after a nightmare spell at the Valley.

The striker signed a three-year deal with the Addicks last summer, but endured an injury-plagued campaign, scoring just twice.

With Josh Magennis missing Charlton’s league opener through injury, Novak started the new season as the club’s first-choice number nine. But he was sent off after just six minutes against Bristol Rovers.

Now, the former Huddersfield man has joined the Addicks’ League One rivals Scunthorpe on a two-year deal hoping to rediscover his best form.

Robinson told News Shopper: “Lee had a terrible year with injuries. It just didn't work out for him - every time he tried to get back fit, he had a cold, he got back from that and had a hand injury, he got back from that and his knee swelled up. It wasn't anything that was going to be difficult to manage.

“But he had so many different things that went wrong in 12 months. He came back this year with a fresh mind, gets an injury in pre-season, but gets back into the team to start in the first game of the season and gets sent off. And then he was ill for two games.

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“It’s like everything the boy tried has not worked out. I know him as a person, he’s a real nice lad, someone who I've got a lot of respect and time for.

“But there’s no point trying to make things work if it’s not working. We had a conversation and I said to him Josh would be my number nine, Josh got a new contract in the summer as well.

“At this stage in his career, he wanted to be the starting number nine week in, week out and that wasn't going to be the case here, Josh Magennis is.”

Novak has scored 10 or more goals in five out of his eight seasons in senior football at Championship and League One level.

And while he was never prolific for Charlton, Scunthorpe have got a proven third tier goalscorer on their hands.

Robinson commended the way Novak went about his Valley exit.

The Liverpudlian added: “He just wanted a new challenge. He loves football and wanted to play football.

News Shopper:

Josh Magennis was above Lee Novak in the Charlton pecking order | Picture: Benjamin Peters Photography

“And he’s from the north-east, it gets him and his family right back up there. That’s not to say he won’t have another move, you can never say that.

“Lee was quite clear about the reason why [he wanted to move] and I felt it was the right thing for the club.

“He had a two-year deal left, and I’ll never go into detail but I have a lot of respect for what he did yesterday.

“It’s not what some people may think it is - it’s far from it and I have a lot of respect for how he conducted himself yesterday.”