PHIL Parkinson is challenging his players to deliver if Charlton are to make an instant return to the Championship.

Despite a bright start to the campaign, the Addicks have struggled for form of late and lie fourth in the League One table.

Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat by Brighton was the latest setback but now Parkinson is looking for everyone to raise their game again between now and the end of the season.

The Valley boss said: “I think we passed the ball well against Yeovil and if you go back to Bristol Rovers, that was an ugly performance where we didn't string two passes together.

“Against Yeovil we got back to how we know we can play.

“We showed it in patches against Brighton on Tuesday but we are looking for people to stand up to the plate and for some inspirational performances from players.

“It’s not a case of looking around for someone else to do it, we need someone to say ‘I am going to be the man.’ “It might be Lloyd Sam going to score three or four goals, it might be Miguel Llera or Sam Sodje scoring off a set play. We need big characters.

“When the cutting edge part of the season is upon us, the big players come to the fore.”

The Brighton display did not go down well with the Valley faithful, but Parkinson is still aggrieved his side didn’t get anything from the clash.

He said: “In the second half we dominated the game and were in their half for the majority of the 45 minutes.

“We created numerous chances and didn’t take them and then Brighton’s first shot in the whole half ends up in the back of the net.

“It was a game where with more conviction with our crossing in that final third, or a bit more belief or working harder to hit the target and make the goalie work, it would have been a different story.

“I think I would be more worried if we weren’t creating chances.”

Parkinson added: “We asked the boys before the Yeovil game to concentrate on important factors to improve our performance. We did that against Yeovil and went into the Brighton game with the same mindset.

“On a very difficult surface we tried to pass the ball, which wasn’t always possible, but we tried hard to do that and got hurt by two sucker punches.

“On another occasion, with the chances we had, we would have responded to it and I’m sure if we had scored an early goal in the second half, we would have gone on to win the game.”

However, despite upbeat assessment of his side’s performance against the Seagulls, Parkinson wouldn’t rule out changes for tomorrow’s visit to Southend and also hinted at a possible return for Jonjo Shelvey.

He said: “I think you’ve got to look at it as another game which comes quickly and there is a possibility of one or two fresh pairs of legs being put in the team.

“Jonjo has been in the 20-man squad but hasn’t made the bench of late, but he is pushing hard for a recall.”