Powell hopeful Fuller will be back for Hornets but Jackson likely to miss out (From This Is Local London)

Powell hopeful Fuller will be back for Hornets but Jackson likely to miss out

6:19pm Saturday 29th September 2012 in Latest Sport By Paul Green

RICARDO Fuller could be available to face Watford on Tuesday night after missing today’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn through illness.

The striker looked set to make his second Addicks start with Yann Kermorgant injured but was ruled out at lunchtime after being struck down with a virus overnight.

But Valley chief Chris Powell is hopeful the 32-year-old will be back to face the Hornets.

The manager said: “It is a bit of a virus. He has been ill all night.

“I saw him when I turned up at lunchtime and he didn’t look well at all.

“We just felt if we tried to push him it could put him out further.

“We had to keep him away from the squad as well.

“Hopefully in the next 24-48 hours he will improve somewhat and be ready for us on Tuesday.”

But Powell was less optimistic on skipper Johnnie Jackson’s chances of recovering in time for the Watford match after an early second half hamstring injury saw him replaced by Bradley Pritchard.

The boss added: “He will be assessed again in the next day or two.

“I would say he will be ruled out for Tuesday and I don’t know about next Saturday yet until the medical team assess him once the injury settles down.

“We’ve lost three or players recently through injury and illness.

“It is a concern but it happens to every team and every manager.

“I was quite fortunate last year that we were relatively injury fee but this year we seem to have had more than our fair share already.

“It is just about trying to keep the boys fresh, keeping them fit and trying to make sure we’ve got the 11/18 each and every game, that’s all we can do.”

Powell added: “It does create chances for other players, as it did today, and you’ve got to do your best and try and stay in whenever your chance arises.

“It is a shame but we’ve just got to soldier on. We lost Ricardo today and I said we’ve just got to get on with it.

“To a man they did today.”

The Charlton manager remained tight lipped when asked about the anticipated signing of Manchester City midfielder Abdul Razak on loan but the deal is likely to go through soon.

“There will be some news later on,” the SE7 supremo said.

“Hopefully something will get done.”

Charlton dominated the Blackburn game for large periods and even though he was frustrated with the final score, Powell still took plenty of positives from an impressive display against a side who have spent heavily.

He said: “I felt our performance warranted three points today.

“We fashioned a lot of chances and I’ve got to say my players adapted really well at the 11th hour because we lost Ricardo Fuller through illness and all the work we put in and our preparation this week was thrown out the window basically.

“I had to ask one or two players to play in a different role and I felt the players, especially after going a goal down, showed real character, a good attitude and were on the front foot all game.

“I felt the chances we created should have got us three points so I’m sure Blackburn after all that has gone on there are very pleased to come away with a point.

“But I’m heartened by what I’ve seen. It is a step in the right direction following on from the Ipswich game and that’s what we’ve got to do.

“We’ve got to display all of the qualities that we did today and I think we will win more games than not.”

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