Russell Slade is hopeful Charlton forward Lee Novak will feature against Bury on Saturday.

The Addicks summer signing broke a bone in his hand towards the end of last month and missed Charlton’s final two pre-season friendlies.

Slade revealed Novak, 27, was due to visit a specialist today [Thursday] to be made a cast for the injury.

The boss said: “Our only real concern is Lee Novak who will go today to see a specialist about his hand.

“Fingers crossed we will have the cast put on it that allows him to play. I’m reasonably confident.”

German defender Patrick Bauer is nearing a long-awaited return to first-team action and could play in a Charlton friendly next week.

The 23-year-old has not featured for the South Londoners since December due to multiple injury setbacks.

But Bauer has now returned to first-team training and Slade said: “He’s back training with us which is pleasing.

“Obviously he’s had no pitch time. We have a couple of friendlies next week so we will maybe throw him in there, we will see how he goes.

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“But he’s integrated and training with us which is a really good sign.”

There was less good news regarding Alou Diarra – a long-term injury flared up before the pre-season friendly at Welling United and the Frenchman has not been seen since.

“It is a historical injury, he was feeling it slightly in training anyway,” Slade added.

“An X-ray revealed there was still a break in the bottom of his foot and that’s now cost him another three months probably.

“With Harry [Lennon], it’s another historical one that hasn’t been dealt with. Harry is making progress, he’s probably looking at three weeks for him before he’s integrated with the group.”

The Charlton squad suffered heavily with injuries during the 2015/16 campaign and Slade said the situation before he arrived was “ridiculous.”

“It’s just a nightmare. When the last ball was kicked at the end of May, I think that was it – there’s been no aftercare, there was no date set for training and players to come back,” the former Cardiff City boss said.

“The off-season programme was just ridiculous.

“It surprised me because you’re professional in what you do – you expect things to be left in a professional way.”

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