Charlton Athletic boss Ben Garner has suggested he has no regrets about Conor Washington's summer exit but has revealed he will be putting pressure on the League One club to sign a replacement in January from a shortlist of targets.

The 30-year-old scored 22 goals across two seasons with the Addicks but was released at the end of his contract in the summer and was snapped up by Championship new boys Rotherham United.

Washington has helped the Millers make a flying start to life in the second tier while Charlton's failure to draft in a replacement has left them with captain Jayden Stockley, Chuks Aneke, and 18-year-old Miles Leaburn as their only striking options.

Speaking at a Q&A with the Charlton Athletic Supporters' Trust at The Valley, Garner was asked whether he regretted letting the forward go without a replacement.

He said: "No, because I wasn't here. We know what we want - someone with energy who can run behind off the shoulder and maintain a press."

Garner arrived from Swindon Town in June and it appears he is keen to make further changes to his squad when the transfer window opens at the turn of the year.

"I haven't been given assurances about the January window," the Charlton boss explained. "But the recruitment team has a shortlist and I will be knocking on the door."

The Verdict

While the decision to let Washington leave was indeed out of Garner's hands, his arrival in June did give him the time to sign a replacement and he failed to do so.

That may be down to the club chiefs but they were happy to back him in other areas.

The Addicks do look short of an energetic striker that can get in behind and press the back line, something that Washington did well, and it will excite fans that the manager has promised to push hard for a replacement to be signed in January.

It remains to be seen whether or not he will be successful.