Lee Bowyer has been left to sweat on the fitness of key midfielder Ben Reeves ahead of Saturday’s crucial Sunderland fixture.

Reeves was replaced in Tuesday’s 2-1 over Walsall at The Valley with a hamstring injury and Bowyer has revealed he is still uncertain whether he’ll be available against fellow promotion chasers.

“It’s not looking good for him,” said Bowyer.

“We know it’s a hamstring injury but we don’t know the extent and how bad it is. I’ll know more when I go and see the physio department. Hopefully if he’s out it won’t be too long and he won’t be the six weekers we’ve had.”

 

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Midfield injury woes

The absence of the 27-year-old would be a blow to Bowyer as the former MK Dons man has found his goal scoring touch, with two in his previous four outings.

Reeves’ injury will further be felt with fellow midfielder Joe Aribo and George Lapslie joining Jake Forster-Caskey, Billy Clarke and Josh Cullen in the treatment room.

Aribo has been sidelined since damaging his knee in the home win over Gillingham, whilst Saturday’s game will come a week early for Lapslie who is yet to fully recover from concussion he picked up in training.

Lapslie missing

Lapslie aside, Bowyer said of his midfield injuries: “I think the nearest person we’ve got coming back (of the long-term injuries) is Josh Cullen who might be the end of the month.”

One man who will be returning to the fold against Sunderland is Chris Solly. The defender served his match ban and is expected to go back in to the starting line-up on Saturday.

This will come as a boost for Bowyer and Charlton as it’s been revealed that captain Jason Pearce will be out for a number of weeks.

“He’s in that boot at the moment. That’s never a good sign. He’s struggling.

“I’m not too sure, it’s his tendons or something, it’s from a tackle. It’s going to be a little while. He’s not back for Sunderland, let’s put it that way.”