Day 15 of your Charlton Christmas Calendar sees us looking at former Swansea and Bolton man Darren Pratley.

Pratley’s arrival in the summer after his release from Bolton was regarded as somewhat of a coup and a shrewd bit of business on manager Lee Bowyer’s behalf.

With long-term injuries to Billy Clarke and Jake Forster-Caskey, an experienced marshal in the centre of the park was needed alongside the talented, but young Charlton team.

READ:Charlton v AFC Wimbledon - What to expect

He was a first XI regular at the beginning of the season and was praised for the impact he had on the side following his arrival.

Such was the impact, Bowyer felt he was the man to wear the armband when Jason Pearce picked up an injury in the opening game of the season.

Further praise was lauded on the midfielder by Bowyer for his versatility. With an injury crisis in defence, Pratley was asked to play in the heart of defence and did it with ease according to Bowyer.,

“I think he could nick another two-three years playing there,” said the Charlton manager.

“He’s an experienced player, reads the game well. You get more time on the ball there. He puts his body on the line and blocks stuff. He’s good in the air, not slow.

“If I was him I’d consider making it an option to drop back there.”

“It’s an option for himself then it might be in a couple of years’ time dropping back into centre half and he can easily do it.”

The Charlton injury curse struck Pratley however, not once but twice. Sidelined in early September by a muscle injury he returned a month later only to be struck down by a knee injury in mid-Novemeber. An injury he is still someway short of returning from.