Sheffield Wednesday: Depleted Charlton Athletic wait on influential midfielder

The attacking midfielder sat-out the midweek defeat at Luton Town due to a foot injury sustained in their 2-2 draw against Cardiff City.

Addicks boss Lee Bowyer said: “Ozzy is 50/50.

“It’s whether his foot recovers in time, if it settles down.

“Tuesday he couldn’t kick a ball.

“If anyone comes back it’ll be him and only him.

“There’s a few getting back on the training pitch and doing a few runs and we’re hopeful for the Middlesbrough game a week Saturday, but regarding this Saturday, no.”

Bowyer will definitely be without the services of Charlton talisman Lyle Taylor. The talented striker has yet to recover from a knee ligament injury suffered in August.

“Lyle was outside yesterday (Wednesday) doing some running," said Bowyer, who will be unable to call upon suspended Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher.

“He’s one we are looking to get in training with us next Thursday, so between now and then we’ll try and get some fitness into him.

“He’s quite fit as he’s been running for a while now, so it’s just making sure we do it the right way between now and then.

“He’ll train with us between Thursday and Friday next week and hopefully he’ll play a part at Middlesbrough.”

Charlton currently have 12 players in the treatment room, including Josh Cullen, Sam Field, Jonny Williams, Jake Forster-Caskey, Biram Kayal and George Lapslie through injury.

Bowyer's men are languishing in 17th spot after a six-match winless streak.

He said: “We are in a bit of a rocky patch but if you take 12 players out of anyone’s squad, I think they would struggle as well.

“Under all the circumstances, our budget, the amount of players we have out, I can’t say I’m happy because we aren’t winning, but I think the way we are performing is acceptable.

“We are in every game, no one has thumped us by four or five.

“Even though the scorelines aren’t right, our performances are still good.

“Against Luton, they were no better than us and we’ve got a depleted squad.”