Charlton wait for Kermorgant boost

Chris Powell hopes Yann Kermorgant will be fit to start against Doncaster tonight.

The Charlton forward is returning to full fitness from the ankle injury that has severely disrupted his season and limited him to just one start in two months.

Kermorgant (above) will be assessed before the game at The Valley, which has been rearranged after it was controversially called off in August because of a waterlogged pitch when Doncaster were leading 3-1.

“It has been a tough time for Yann but he came off the bench against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday and, hopefully, he will be available for selection,” said Powell. “We have missed a few of our injured players but I hope he will be okay for a tough Christmas period.”

Powell remains cautious about bringing Kermorgant back before he is ready even though Charlton have struggled for goals in his absence. “We have not scored enough,” said Powell. “We have been creating more recently and we have got to keep that going, because defensively we have been strong.”

Doncaster manager Paul Dickov said the way the original game was abandoned was “shambolic” after referee Lee Collins called it off at half-time. Doncaster players tried to help clear water from the pitch but Collins deemed conditions unsafe.

Charlton are just above the Championship relegation zone and Powell knows the importance of their game in hand.

He said: “It is a huge game for us. It is our game in hand and everyone can see what sort of difference three points will make. A third of the season has gone and we should have had more points.”