Josh Magennis is hugely important on and off the pitch for Charlton, according to caretaker boss Lee Bowyer.

The Addicks striker scored his tenth goal of the season in the 2-0 win over Shrewsbury on Tuesday evening.

Despite being the club’s top scorer, he has come under fire from a section of supporters throughout the campaign.

But Bowyer, who handed Magennis his first start in a month against Shrewsbury, told News Shopper: “He’s massive for the team, even when he wasn't starting, in and around the dressing room, he’s massive.

“There are a lot of things people don't see, his camaraderie around the dressing room - he’s the joker. You need people like that. He’s been outstanding.

“He could've sulked, but he’s been geeing the lads on. He made a comment after the Rotherham game, taking into account he didn't play in that game, after we’d won he said ‘it was a pleasure to watch, lads’. That’s from someone who isn't playing.

“So the togetherness is there, and that’s something I’ve never doubted. You have players who aren't playing and they're making comments like that about their team - it means something’s good.”

Magennis has reached double figures for the second successive season in a Charlton shirt.

The Northern Ireland international, who had been behind Michal Zyro, Nicky Ajose and Stephy Mavididi in the pecking order in recent weeks, is likely to start at Portsmouth on Saturday.

Bowyer added: “I would like to see more goals, I think as a striker you should be looking around the 20 mark. I think he’ll sit here and say the same himself, any striker would.

“But his goal the other night, he deserved it. I say to every player and I’ve said it for years, ‘if you work hard for the team, then you get rewarded’ - and he got rewarded.

“I couldn't have been more pleased for him.”

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