Only the strongest will survive
Phil Parkinson insists he will be playing the strongest team available to him when Charlton take on non-League Northwich Victoria in the first round of the FA Cup on Sunday (1.30pm).
With Frazer Richardson and Leon McKenzie back in training and set to travel to Cheshire, Parkinson could have several options to choose from for the clash with the Blue Square North outfit.
However, with the FA Cup tie followed by the Johnstone's Paint Trophy fixture at Southampton on Wednesday, not to mention the league encounter with Milton Keynes Dons next Saturday, Parkinson admits he has to be careful with his selection against Northwich.
"We've got a big week of three games in six days so we'll be utilising the whole squad,” said Parkinson. "That many games is a tough call, and over the next two games you might see more of the squad players getting a chance if they're the best ones to play in the situation.
"We're going to play the strongest team we feel can win this game, though. The FA Cup is a big competition, we're live on ITV and we want to put in a good performance which will result in a win."
Right-back Richardson and striker McKenzie are both in contention to feature, while, with Lloyd Sam struggling with flu, winger Luke Holden could also play a part for the first time following his loan switch from Welsh side Rhyl.
Continued Parkinson: "Frazer's in contention after his thigh injury, but we'll see how he is on Saturday. Leon has trained most of the week after a thigh problem. The injuries Leon has picked up since he's been here are very minor and have come at the end of training sessions when his body is fatigued.
"We want to prevent that, so we've been working hard on his base fitness to hopefully prevent that happening again. He'll travel with the squad, as will Luke, who's progressing well and getting closer to getting a crack in the first XI."
Richardson missed his first game of the season last weekend in the 3-1 defeat at Carlisle United. And with Chris Solly also absent with a knee injury, Parkinson snapped up Elliot Omozusi on loan until December, with the Hackney-born youngster making his debut at Brunton Park.
Omozusi, out of contract but registered with Fulham, can play on Sunday, but David Mooney and Carl Ikeme have not been given permission to feature by Reading and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively.
Ikeme's absence means Darren Randolph will come in for his first start of the campaign, with young Jack Binks, who starred for the U18s in the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday, possibly on the substitutes' bench.
"Carl's not available but Darren has trained well this week and will play in goal," confirmed Parkinson. "Dave and Carl can't play, but it's not a normal loan with Elliot, so he can play in the FA Cup. It's a very complicated deal - he's not on a permanent contract with Fulham so he can play."
There was a further boost on the injury front this week for Parkinson, with Dean Sinclair returning to training after a long-term knee injury and Rob Elliot progressing well from his adductor problem.
On Elliot, Parkinson stated: "When you're determined like he is, it's amazing how quickly you can get fit. Dean's back in training as well, so we've had a good week. It's good to see Deano back out there. He's had a tough old time but all the signs are he's come through his knee injury."
Also on the loan front, Charlton have declined Bristol Rovers permission to play striker Chris Dickson in the FA Cup against Southampton on Friday night, but Stuart Fleetwood will be allowed to represent Exeter City against Nuneaton Borough the following day.
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