Lee Bowyer admitted his first January deadline-day as manager didn’t go to script.

Having lost Karlan Grant to Huddersfield two days earlier, and with multiple injuries and a suspension in his front-line, two strikers were on the boss's wish list on Thursday.

But as the transfer window ‘slammed’ shut, Josh Parker was the only recruit added to the squad that also lost Billy Clarke hours earlier.

“I would’ve liked it to be a bit better,” said a modest Bowyer.

“I would’ve rather we didn’t have this January window as we would’ve still had Karlan but that’s the way it is.

“Everyone deals with things. I don’t mind it, I would’ve just liked to get that last one(signing) at the death.”

No Change

Despite the hysteria and fast-pace scenes that social media produce of ‘Transfer Deadline Day,’ Bowyer says transfer news doesn’t affect those within the club.

“Nothing changes for the players, they’re like robots, day-in day-out, they do the same thing.

“For the staff, your days are longer as you’re watching video after video trying to pick the right player.

“I think Thursday night I got home at 12 o’clock.

“I don’t think I’ve ever got home at midnight after a day of football in my life!

“But that’s part of it, but it doesn’t affect the mood around the place because we are in a good place, we work hard everyday and nothing changes.”

READ: ‘Karlan is not Charlton’ - Bowyer

Over the course of the month Bowyer and head of recruitment Steve Gallen have brought in Chris Maxwell, Ben Purrington, Jonny Williams and Josh Parker. A return the manager was happy with.

“We’ve brought in four good players.

“I would’ve liked another striker I won’t lie.

“We tried our hardest but overall if you look at the quality, I’m happy.

“For the budget we have, we are doing very well to be where we are which shows the recruitment we have done is excellent.”

Despite not spending in the January window, Bowyer believes it may not be a bad thing. With teams around them spending money on new recruits, notably Sunderland who have outlayed up to £4million on striker Will Grigg, the Charlton manager doesn’t believe success is a sure thing.

“We’ve got 15 games to go and the best two teams will go up no matter how much money they’ve spent.

“It makes me feel they are very lucky to spend that money, but is it going to strengthen them? “Maybe, but those clubs have already got a lot of players and it could affect the dressing room, you don’t know.”

Contract Extensions

With a number of players out of contract in the summer, work for Bowyer now moves towards tying those down to longer deals.

Of agreeing terms with George Lapslie, Jake Forster-Caskey, Igor Vetokele, Pat Bauer, Ben Reeves, Tariq Fosu, Joe Aribo, and Chris Solly, Bowyer was hopeful.

“We’ve been having with quite talks with a few of them, and a couple are close to signing.

“One or two we have to work on, but there’s a few on or nearly agreed.

“I’m sure a couple will be announced.”

READ: Bowyer's message to fans on new signing