Chris Solly insists Charlton can cope without crocked defender Jason Pearce.

Pearce has been ruled out for 10 weeks after suffering knee ligament damage.

Charlton’s slide down the table occurred during Pearce’s three-month injury lay-off last season.

But now, they have strong cover in the centre-back department in Naby Sarr, Ezri Konsa and rising star Anfernee Dijksteel. Harry Lennon will be added to the mix when he returns from a long-term groin problem.

In Pearce’s absence, Konsa played alongside Patrick Bauer in the midweek draw at Walsall, and impressed in his first league start of the season.

Addicks skipper Solly said: “Pearcey is a big loss because he’s a big leader. But that’s probably one position on the pitch where we are covered.

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“We’ve got so much quality at centre-half. Ez [Konsa] came in and was brilliant against Walsall.

“He is an England Under-20 international, who has just won the [U20] World Cup.

“He’s got so much quality. So we’re not going to miss Pearcey too much with the quality we've got stepping in.”

Addicks boss Karl Robinson is set to welcome summer signings Mark Marshall and Ben Reeves into the squad for the trip to Fleetwood on Saturday.

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Mark Marshall | Picture: Benjamin Peters Photography

Marshall has recovered from a knee injury which he picked up in pre-season, while Reeves has been building up his fitness after being without a club in the summer.

Last season, Marshall and Reeves starred for Bradford and MK Dons, respectively. The pair are viewed as two of the best attacking players in League One.

And Solly can’t wait to see them firing for Charlton.

He added: “When you look on the bench with those two on it, the opposition will be worried immediately.

“As a full-back myself, I don't want to be facing Reevesy or Marshy for the last 15 or 20 minutes of a game.

“So once they’re back flying, it will only make us stronger.”