Charlton Athletic look set to appoint their new head coach before the end of the week.

The Addicks sacked manager Dean Holden on August 28 following a 2-1 defeat at Oxford United.

Interim boss Jason Pearce oversaw a 2-1 victory over Fleetwood Town on Saturday, the South London club’s first three points since the opening day of the League One campaign.

A number of candidates were interviewed over the vacancy with a final shortlist then drawn up. There will be further interviews today and tomorrow with a view to naming the new man in charge shortly after that.

Pearce will once again take charge for tonight’s EFL Trophy tie at Crawley Town but there is a desire for Holden’s successor to have a decent amount of time to bed in before their next league match. Saturday’s fixture at Wigan has been postponed due to international call-ups – meaning there is a decent gap until the fixture at Stevenage on September 16.

Technical director Andy Scott and chairman Jim Rodwell have been conducting the interviews.

We have already reported a number of bosses who had been spoken to about the vacancy – including the likes of Michael Appleton, Stockport’s Dave Challinor and Northampton’s Jon Brady.

The only approaches made, other than initially offering the role to Chris Powell on an interim basis, have been to managers in employment. Any out of work have been expected to apply if they want to be considered.

Lee Bowyer’s odds to be the next boss shortened heavily over the weekend but the South London Press was told there was no change and that he had not applied for the job.

 

Charlton Athletic could hand debuts to three of their four deadline day signings in tonight’s EFL Trophy tie at Crawley Town.

The Addicks are expected to name a strong side for the match in West Sussex with the likes of striker Miles Leaburn, who made his return from an ankle injury in Saturday’s League One win over Fleetwood Town, needing minutes.

Charlton are also able to field the additions they made on the final day of the transfer window – loanees Slobodan Tedic (Manchester City), Louie Watson (Luton Town) and Tennai Watson.

 

Udinese centre-back James Abankwah is not available as he is away on international duty with Republic of Ireland U21s.

Interim boss Jason Pearce is likely to give a rest to Corey Blackett-Taylor and George Dobson.

But it will act as an opportunity to give more competitive action to summer Terry Taylor.

“I think we have to play five players from the squad (from Saturday),” Pearce told the South London Press on Saturday, when asked how strong he is set to go for the tournament opener.

“Initially my thought is we probably will look to rest some players and give some players an oppportunity to get some minutes.”