Charlton fans calling for Chuks Aneke to be given a chance against Stoke City this weekend may be left disappointed after Lee Bowyer’s latest assessment of the forward.

Aneke, like many of the Addicks squad, has struggled with injury this term, scoring just once in 11 games as he’s failed to string a run of games together due various niggling muscle injuries.

In his latest comeback effort, the 26-year-old shone for the club’s under-23 side, scoring in a 3-3 draw with Watford mid-week, causing fans to suggest he should be given a real chance in the crunch match at the BET365 arena this Saturday.

Such suggestions may have fell on deaf ears with Bowyer however.

“I was there, under-23 football is different,” he said.

“It was 3-2 by half time, not many games are 3-2 at half time, it’s not real football.

“It’s ‘you have it - we have it,’ no-one defends.

“Chuks is doing well but most important thing is we get his fitness up.

“Plus he’s playing against young lads, he moves them out the way.

“In the 23’s it’s not how many goals he scores or what he does, the most important thing is getting minutes under his belt and getting his fitness up.”

 

Aneke arrived from MK Dons in the summer, and after a an impressive pre-season Bowyer felt the former Arsenal youth player would be able to make his mark on the division in a number of different positions.

“In possession he does well, but these more to the game than that.

“If you play him in the ten role like we were looking to do, he bring something different.

“Chuks has that physical quality, but he’s also got quality in the final third.

“His weight of pass, his awareness is very good and he can score goals.

“It’s been frustrating because all the players, him included, they should not have been out as long as they were, but it’s not something you can control.”