Parky's call to captain

Phil Parkinson has urged captain Nicky Bailey to get back to his best as Charlton bid to return to winning ways against Milton Keynes Dons on Saturday (3pm).

Parkinson has been left disappointed by three straight defeats, and has called for his skipper to lead by example and help the Addicks return to the fine form shown earlier this season.

Bailey, rested for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie at Southampton on Wednesday, has been deployed on the left for Charlton this term, but Parkinson revealed the flame-haired midfielder could be asked to play a different role at The Valley this weekend.

"Nick's been a bit disappointing in his recent performances,” Parkinson told the official website. "I look at Nick as a captain who inspires people with his performances. He needs to get back to that on Saturday. Whether it's in a different position, all will be revealed at three o'clock.”

Parkinson has been boosted ahead of the game by the return to fitness of Frazer Richardson, and the right-back could return to Charlton's starting XI for the visit of Paul Ince's side.

Richardson has missed the last three games - all defeats - after suffering a thigh strain at Gillingham, but Rob Elliot will not be available for selection on Saturday as he continues to recover from a groin injury.

Parkinson said: "Frazer's back in contention. Wednesday night's game was a bit early for him but he's trained well this week. Rob's not ready. He's done exceptionally well this week and his handling is no problem, it's just his kicking because of the groin problem. He'll be back before long, hopefully in a week or so."

Elsewhere on the injury front, Leon McKenzie didn't suffer any adverse reaction to his recent thigh problem when he came off the substitutes' bench to net Charlton's goal in the 2-1 midweek defeat at St Mary's, while Deon Burton is also at Parkinson's disposal as he continues to play on with a hernia.

"McKenzie's in the squad," said Parkinson. "Everyone else is fine. We've got the normal bumps and bruises, but nothing major. We'll pick a team and a formation with the best players we have available.

"Deon can go on for the rest of the season. It's an injury he's got to manage, but it won't get worse. We've just got to balance his training and try to get the best out of him for the games we need him to play."

With those injury worries, Parkinson admits he may have to go down the loan route once more as he attempts to ensure Charlton are still in the running for promotion when the transfer window opens in January.

"Finances are limited, to say the least," stated Parkinson. "My goal at the moment is to get to January in a strong position. If we have to use the loan market, then we'll have to do that.

"I know the loan market isn't looked on too favourably by our supporters, but if have to go down that road, then that's what we'll do. November 26th is the deadline for loans and I don't want to leave us vulnerable for the important month of December."

Reflecting on the loss to Alan Pardew's Saints, Parkinson was pleased to see his side produce the battling display he had called for following the embarrassing FA Cup first-round exit at Northwich Victoria three days earlier.

"We got back to putting in a hard-working performance which I wanted after Sunday," mused Parkinson. "We just lacked a bit of quality and creativity, certainly in the first half."

The Addicks boss made six changes at St Mary's and he singled out for praise three players who have been on the fringes of the first XI in recent weeks, adding: "I just wanted to see 11 players roll up their sleeves and work hard for each other, and we got that.

"I thought Miguel Llera played well at the back, Matt Spring worked hard in the midfield and Dave Mooney did well, because he was playing up front on his own for a large part of the game and that's a difficult role."