GARY Doherty is expected to be out of action for several weeks after coming off injured with a muscle problem in Tuesday’s defeat against Carlisle.

The veteran defender was forced to leave the field late in the first half and manager Chris Powell confirmed today a spell on the treatment table was on the cards for Doherty.

“He is going to be out for a couple of weeks at least,” the manager explained.

“I think that is the first muscle injury he has ever had. It is a shame because he has done well for me since I have been here.

“It is an opportunity for someone else to come into the team.

“I’ve got four centre halves here who have all been vying for the position.

“Christian and Doc have been in and I’ve stuck with those guys.

“Jon came on but now I’ve got to make a decision on what two guys will play on Saturday. We will wait and see.”

Charlton players have come in for some stick in recent home games from fans after suffering two straight defeats.

But Powell said his squad would have to deal with the flak, adding hopefully they will learn from it.

The boss said: “That happens to every footballer when they are losing at home.

“They will learn from it because the fans will always be, if the team aren’t performing to what they want or the team are losing, they will show us their opinions, which is fine.

“That is football. Players are only human, they don’t want to make mistakes.”

Powell added: “The crowd have been terrific since I came back and of course if we are losing, and that is two home games we’ve lost 3-1.

“We won the previous three and obviously everyone was very happy with that, so that is football.

“I want not only myself to learn from that but the players, especially the young ones, that they learn from that and can play through it because that happens in football.

“It doesn’t matter if you are here at Charlton or playing for another team, that is going to happen.

“You learn from it and you learn to play under those circumstances and play through them as well.”

Charlton have the chance to get back on track this weekend when they host Tranmere but Powell is aware the Merseysiders will be looking to add to his woes.

He said: “They will look at our last two home games and feel they have a chance.

“I’m sure their manager will look at it and say ‘let’s really put them under as much pressure as we can’. I’m looking for us to deal with that and of course come through it.

“That takes a bit of bravery, especially with the ball, but I’m looking for us to really say to ourselves we don’t want to perform as we did against Carlisle.

“I want us to show that we do care and have pride in our shirt and I think that will see us through.”

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