Lee Bowyer on Erhun Oztumer’s fitness, one definite absentee for Charlton-Forest game and Lyle Taylor’s penalty technique

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Charlton Athletic boss Lee Bowyer was set to properly gauge Erhun Oztumer’s fitness today as he prepared for Wednesday night’s visit of Nottingham Forest.

The Addicks signed the former Dulwich Hamlet playmaker, 28, at the end of last week on a two-year deal.

Charlton will be without right-back Chris Solly (concussion) for the midweek fixture.

Asked about Oztumer, Bowyer replied: “I don’t know what he has done in pre-season but I do know he has had some game time.

“So we’ll just have to monitor him. I’ll speak to him properly today. On Friday I was more concentrating on the game. I’ll have a look at him and see what he is up to.”

Solly came off in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Barnsley – a clash of heads bringing a premature end to his 300th appearance for the Addicks.

“He just didn’t really know what was going on around him,” said Bowyer. “They’ll keep testing him, but he won’t be back for Wednesday.”

Lyle Taylor also took a knock to his ankle in the closing stages at Oakwell.

“I’ve not heard there was a problem and he was alright to carry on,” said Bowyer. “It might be a case of us leaving him out today to get a bit of treatment.”

Taylor produced a casual stroll up for his successful penalty on Saturday – his third of the campaign.

Bowyer said: “It works for him, doesn’t it?

“He has got a certain way of doing it. As long as it is working he’ll carry on doing it. I have no problem with him doing it.”