Lee Bowyer has urged Lewis Page to “keep working hard” as the Charlton defender fights his way back from injury to reclaim a first team spot.

The left back, who has not made a League One appearance since last October, is expected to feature in an under-23s game this coming Tuesday (April 30).

Both he and Jake Forster-Caskey, another long-term absentee, made the substitutes’ bench for the away trip to Gillingham where Charlton ran out eventual 2-0 winners.

But while Bowyer has rewarded Rotherham United loanee Ben Purrington with significant game time he wants Page to continue pushing for a starting 11 spot again.

“They'll get 90 into them now, Jake [Forster-Caskey] and Pagey, we'll get 90 minutes in them on Tuesday,” the Charlton boss said.

“Listen, Ben's been outstanding. Outstanding for me. Pagey, keep working hard and you just never know.

“Football is crazy and you just can't predict what's going to happen.”

Bowyer also said his decision to not include Lyle Taylor and Patrick Bauer in his 18-man squad was a precautionary measure.

Both are said to be carrying minor injuries and he was not prepared to risk them when other options were available.

“Lyle said his groin felt a bit better yesterday, and so did Pat [Bauer] with his knee, but it's just not gaining anything by risking them,” he added.

“I've got to look at the bigger picture and that gives opportunities for others to come in and state a claim and show that I can trust them when we do come to the playoffs.”

Meanwhile, the Addicks boss appears to be intent on fielding a strong squad for Charlton’s penultimate game of the regular season against Rochdale.

Forster-Caskey, who has made his long-awaited return since being injured during preseason last summer, is available once again.

However, while Bowyer is pleased the midfielder is back in the fold “nothing is going to change” on matchday 46 as home advantage for the second leg of the playoffs remains a real possibility.

“I just want to keep winning games,” he said, speaking after the Gillingham game. “Like what I’ve done here I’ll put out a side that I think will win the game, and that’s the way we are.

“We want to win every single game we play, so nothing’s going to change next weekend so I’ll pick the side that I think that’ll win us the game on Saturday.”