Karl Robinson has leapt to the defence of Charlton striker Tony Watt after their 1-0 win over Bristol Rovers.

Watt was subbed on for the final 20 minutes, and faced criticism from Addicks fans for his work-rate.

But Robinson said the Scotland international executed his job well, playing the furthest forward following Lee Novak’s sixth-minute red card.

He told News Shopper: “I told him not to [chase every ball down] because if he goes chasing, stupidly, he goes with the keeper and their centre-halves and now we've only got eight [out-field] players.

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“But if he doesn't chase, we keep nine on the side of the ball. The centre-backs and the goalkeeper are never going to score.

“It was important for him to be on the toes of the two midfield players. He got a lot of knock-downs - and if he wasn't there - the ball would've gone to one of their players.

“So, I told him not to go chasing stupidly, so maybe he took that a little bit too literally. But he did everything I asked.”

With Josh Magennis injured and Novak suspended, Watt is Charlton’s only fit striker.