Leon looking forward
Charlton's latest debutant is confident he can play a part in getting the Addicks promoted this season.
Phil Parkinson's men couldn't find a way past a resolute Oldham Athletic team on Saturday as the Addicks drew their third blank in front of goal in as many League One fixtures - although they did fire four past Barnet in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy midway through that sequence.
Leon McKenzie, a free transfer signing from Coventry City on the last day of the summer transfer window, came off the bench in the second half to make his first appearance in a red shirt after recovering from a groin niggle.
And the forward, who looked lively in his short cameo against the Latics, believes that - once back to full fitness - he can help maintain the club's promotion bid.
He said: "I know once I regain match fitness I am capable of getting goals. I've proved that throughout my career. I feel there are goals in this team, but sometimes it's going to be frustrating because other teams always want to beat the teams at the top. So you maybe have to take the draws sometimes.
"On another day we could have won this game; we had the chances. Hopefully, the goals will start flowing again and I'd love to be part of it."
Following a ruptured Achilles tendon, McKenzie had played just five minutes of first-team football this term prior to the Oldham game after coming on as a late substitute in Coventry's 1-0 loss to Swansea City in August.
The 31-year-old then suffered the groin problem shortly after arriving in SE7, and said: "I've had some real bad luck. When you rupture your Achilles, it doesn't matter how well you have looked after yourself, it's something you either do not come back from at all, or you come back stronger.
"I believe I've come back stronger, and once the games start coming for me, I hope to become a good addition to the team."
He continued: "It's been a little bit frustrating but I got on the bench against Oldham and felt pretty sharp when I came on - we didn't get a goal, unfortunately, but there were a lot of positives.
"It's only really this week that I've got back into training again. I've been doing a lot of strength stuff and we just felt that I wasn't quite ready when I signed, but the physios have been brilliant. It's just a matter of getting some games under my belt now and hopefully I can get a couple of goals along the way."
McKenzie started his career with Crystal Palace, before making his name with Peterborough United. Spells at Norwich City and Coventry followed, and it was while with the Sky Blues that he scored his 100th career goal last season.
Despite his Palace connections, McKenzie, who has been promoted twice in his career, was given a rapturous welcome by the Valley support as Parkinson explored all of his options in a bid to break down the Latics.
It wasn't to be, but McKenzie stated: "My reception was fantastic, and it must be that reputation I carry with me that at the end of the day I'll do my best whether I'm coming on or I'm starting. I gave a good account of myself, and I might not score every week but I'll try to make a big impact in what I'm doing, and it was really fantastic of the fans for me to get that reception.
"It's a massive club which should not be in the position we are in, but we are. It's a lovely opportunity for me to come back home as I'm from South London anyway, and I want to do well.
"I'm 31 now and I'd love to get my third promotion, and if that can be with Charlton, then so be it. I'm not here to disrupt anything but to be a strong addition to the side and make that impact when needed, and I think I can do that."
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