Lee Bowyer has underlined his frustration with the EFL and the current situation Charlton face in the summer transfer window, as he tries to piece a squad together for next season.

The Addicks are firmly in the mire at the moment with fans protesting the current running of the club and hoping for a takeover.

Indeed, they are currently under an embargo that will not allow them to sign players until space in the squad is made, as per the EFL's judgement, and that is causing Bowyer real grief.

Quiz: Can you remember the score from each of these 12 Charlton Athletic matches from the 2019/20 season?

As quoted by the South London Press, the Charlton boss revealed that the EFL considers any player to have made any kind of appearance for the first-team in recent times, even for a few minutes, a first-team player and, therefore, that is limiting spaces for new signings as the Addicks are being told their squad is already full at 23-men strong.

He said:

“As it stands we can’t bring anyone in – even if we had all the money in the world.

“We’re not allowed to sign anyone unless we let players go.

“We’re working behind the scenes to try and make some spaces available but it’s not easy. I’m being told ‘just be patient’ but it’s driving me mad. I can’t even do my job properly at the moment.

"The EFL are already saying that with players who have played 15 minutes a year or two years ago when they came on as a sub. But it was because we had so many injuries that we had to play players who weren’t ready. We had no choice – it was either that or play with nine men.

“They [the EFL] are trying to say they are first-team players – but they are not.

“That’s why we can’t bring no-one in. We should be able to bring in at least three players because at the moment some of those players aren’t part of the first-team squad in my eyes.

“But the EFL are saying they are because one player played a game two years ago. It’s pathetic.”

The Verdict

It's another headache for Bowyer.

Charlton are allowed a 23-man squad but no more under their embargo and Bowyer wants to sign more senior players but, because the EFL are saying anyone to have played for the first-team, even for a short period, is now a senior player, they are saying that Charlton have enough in their squad.

Obviously, quality-wise that is not the case but until things upstairs are sorted this seems to be what the manager has to contend with.