Lee Bowyer thinks it would be “stupid” to rush Igor Vetokele back before he’s ready for Charlton’s Easter Monday clash with Scunthorpe United.

The striker, who was injured in the 3-1 win against promotion-chasing Luton Town, was meant to be in the squad for the Oxford United trip but was ruled out.

Ben Purrington came down with a “sickness bug” ahead of the trip too, so Bowyer had to draft Chris Solly in at left back instead.

Although he’s hopeful the defender will recover in time for the Scunthorpe clash, it appears to be a game too soon for Vetokele.

READ: Bowyer: Charlton's top two chances are over after Oxford defeat

“It's going to be tight”, the Addicks boss said following the defeat to Oxford.

“He [Purrington] just woke up this morning with a sickness bug so obviously he couldn't play.

“It's just a big risk [to play Vetokele against Scunthorpe], you know? He tweaked his hamstring less than a week ago and it'd be stupid to throw him in there when he could pull it badly and be out for a long time.

“We were hoping he was going to be ready for today but it's just not right.

“I think Ben will be fine by then. What I'm guessing is that it's a sickness bug so I'm hoping that it's just like a 24, 48 hour one and we'll see.”

READ: Player ratings from Charlton's defeat to Oxford United

In the event Purrington doesn’t feature then Lewis Page will likely get the nod instead.

Asked whether Page would start if Purrington is unavailable for Scunthorpe, Bowyer added: “If not then yeah, Pagey will definitely start.

“We've got no choice, have we?

“Solly's now suspended and if Ben ain't well then we've only got Anfernee [Dijksteel] left, so yeah we'll look to bring him in.”