Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer has offered a fitness update on star striker Lyle Taylor ahead of this weekend's clash with Derby County.

And it was a predominantly positive update from the Addicks boss, reporting that although his knee remains strapped up, that he is ahead of schedule in his recovery.

“Lyle is still in the brace and is doing strength work," Bowyer told his pre-match press conference on Thursday, reported by the club's official Twitter account.

"He’ll be out of the brace on Monday and we think he’s slightly ahead of schedule, so that’s positive news.”

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Taylor has missed the south Londoner's last five league matches with the knock after making a lightening fast start to life in the Championship.

After netting 21 times in their successful League One promotion push, the 29-year-old scored five in his first six second-tier games, helping the club sit comfortably in the top-six.

They have since slipped down into tenth place but a win against Philip Cocu's men could see them rise back into the play-off places this weekend.

The verdict

This is really excellent news for the fans.

There has been plenty of positive hints from Taylor on social media that his recovery was going well but to hear it from Bowyer himself will undoubtedly lift the entire squad.

Whilst lots of players have impressed at The Valley so far this season, including Conor Gallagher and Jonny Williams, it is Taylor who remains the main man.

He will prove absolutely crucial in any success the club have this season so I imagine he will return to the starting XI as soon as humanly possible.