Charlton’s clash with Blackburn Rovers was a “proper test” for Jake Forster-Caskey, Lee Bowyer said, as the midfielder made his first competitive start in 14 months.

Forster-Caskey, 25, missed most of last season’s promotion-winning campaign after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during a training session.

Despite being ruled out for the entire season he returned, eight months later, during Charlton’s 4-0 win against Scunthorpe United.

The midfielder’s 90-minute appearance against Blackburn was his first competitive start since May 2018 when Charlton lost to Shrewsbury Town in the play-offs. It marked his return to full action after a grueling injury layoff.

“I think it's good for Jake that he's got 90 minutes into him, especially after what happened last year. I think that was a proper test for him today,” Bowyer said after the 2-1 win at Blackburn.

“I think he'd done well at times and not so well at other times. I think the physicality of it was maybe a bit difficult for him at times.

“You've got to remember he missed a year of football, so to come out here and run around, and fight and compete for everything, like he'd done, he should be proud of himself.

“They [the players] all should. They've all done outstanding today.”

Bowyer was impressed with his team’s performance and felt Charlton’s five-man defence thwarted Blackburn’s attack. The Addicks did sometimes find themselves in vulnerable defensive situations but Rovers failed to capitalise.

Though the hosts drew level through a bizarre Dillon Phillips own goal, clear-cut chances were lacking and Charlton took their scoring opportunities when they came.

Ben Purrington started, and finished, a slick move to edge Charlton ahead before Lyle Taylor’s flick-on at the back post restored the lead late on.

“I think when we had three [defenders] at the back, whenever they were crossing it, I thought we looked solid,” Bowyer added.

“It was always us that was getting to the ball first. Okay, the odd clearance is not going to go where you want it to go but they are human beings, you know?”

He praised the entire team before he added: “Lyle [was] up on his own, but you know what you get from Lyle and he got his reward with the goal at the end.

“I thought it was a great away performance.”