Johnnie Jackson is willing to sacrifice an impressive career milestone to ensure Charlton win promotion to the Championship.

The Charlton club captain made it to 499 career appearances against Rochdale on Saturday.

He has the League One play-off semi-finals and a possible final to reach 500 before retiring at the end of the season. 

“It would be a lie if I hadn't thought about it,” Jackson, who has been assisting caretaker boss Lee Bowyer, told News Shopper. “It will be about the team and what’s right for the team.

“If there’s an opportunity anywhere, myself and Lee will have a discussion, but it won’t ever be to the detriment of the team or for personal ego or sentiment. I will put that aside.

“It would be a lie if I said I hadn't thought about getting to 500 appearances at Wembley on the day Charlton get promoted to the Championship.

“Those are things you dream about. So obviously I’ve considered that. If I was 499 and out and Charlton went up to the Championship - I’d retire a happy man.”

MORE: Lee Bowyer refuses to criticise Charlton players after Rochdale loss with play-offs confirmed

Charlton face Shrewsbury in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals on Thursday.

The club’s annual Player of the Year dinner takes place tonight - and Bowyer’s men will take it easy with their two crucial games in mind.

“I’ll be on the sparkling water and I’ll put a dash of lime in there,” Jackson, 35, said. “Something like that.

“But it won’t be full throttle like it has been in previous years. Not for me, obviously, from the other players!

“I’ve been glowing about Shrewsbury all season. To finish where they finished [in third place], with the squad they've got, they’ve been an absolute credit.

“They just fell away in the end but they were knocking on the door of the top two. Their points tally is really impressive.

“There are going to be two tough games. They beat us at home and we beat them away, so we know what to expect.

“We’ll be working hard in the next few days about how we’re going to prepare for it. It’s a quick turnaround and we’ve got to be ready.”

Charlton are yet to play at the new Wembley since its opening in 2007.

But they have come close on two occasions. The Addicks lost to Swindon in the play-off semi-finals in 2010 before being knocked out in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup by Sheffield United four years later.

MORE: Charlton defender commits future to Addicks - and wants club captaincy next season

Charlton’s last visit to the home of English football came 20 years ago when they beat Sunderland on penalties to gain promotion to the Premier League.

“It’s the occasion. No one wants to go to Wembley and lose,” Jackson said.

“It would be great for the supporters, great for the players and myself, I’ve never played there. I’ve seen many games, but I’ve never got to run out there.

“It’s all about getting the result and going up. I don't want a day out at Wembley with disappointment at the end of it.

“We want a day out at Wembley because we want to go up to the Championship. That’s what it’s down to.

“It’s not just a day out, it would be great for the fans and great for everyone involved with the club if we could sign off there in victory.”

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