Lee Bowyer says another attacker would be the most likely arrival at The Valley this January.

Having loaned Nicky Ajose to Mansfield earlier this week, Bowyer has been left with Karlan Grant, Lyle Taylor and the injured Igor Vetokele as the only recognised strikers.

With Chris Maxwell, Ben Purrington, Josh Cullen and Krystian Bielik all arriving on loan this season, there is only space for one more loan signing under League One guidelines.

“I think we’ll probably bring in one more,” said the Charlton boss.

“It’ll probably be a striker.

“I’d like to bring in a striker but it is difficult because we have got two strikers playing who have formed a good partnership and are playing well together.”

READ:Charlton 'confident of keeping star striker

With Charlton pushing for promotion, led by the revered Grant and Taylor, Bowyer was under no illusions of the difficulty and potential damage a new signing could cause

“To bring someone in to be third or fourth choice is difficult.

“Those two are playing well and when someone loans you a player they want them to play, that’s the whole point of it.

“That can be a problem.

“It is like us when we loan someone out, you want them to play either for experience or another reason.

“You’ve got to basically bring in someone who is happy not to start every game.”

Bowyer admitted he had some time on his side before making any signings and that with players returning from injury squad numbers are improving.

“We have to see where we are towards the end of the window and where we need to strengthen. At the moment, we are in no rush.”

READ: Charlton midfield duo back for Accrington clash

Billy-Go?

One player who could be leaving the club is Billy Clarke. The Irishman has had a torrid time with injury over the past 18 months and now fit is finding it difficult to get game time.

“Unfortunately for Billy we’ve got players that are above him and ready to play,” the manager sympathised.

“He is back from injury now and obviously wants to play but there competition for places.

“Billy wants to play football and I can’t guarantee that he’s going to do that at the moment.

“But that is the game of football, not everyone is guaranteed to play. If someone is doing well then they stay in.

“I think Billy is interested in going out on loan, it could even be permanent because he is up (a free agent) in the summer.”