Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer has admitted that Chuks Aneke has yet to illustrate why he should be leading the line for the club this season.

The 26-year-old, who joined the Addicks this summer following the expiry of his contract at Milton Keynes Dons (via BBC Sport), has made a slow start to life at The Valley.

Whilst fellow forward Lyle Taylor has managed to set the Championship alight with his performances in recent weeks, Aneke has been used almost exclusively as an impact substitute by Bowyer.

Yet with Taylor now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury on international duty with Montserrat (via News Shopper), the former Arsenal man will be hoping to force his way into the Addicks' starting lineup.

However, after opting to field Jonathan Leko and Tomer Hemed up-front during last Saturday's defeat to Birmingham City, Bowyer has admitted that he is concerned about Aneke's suitability for Charlton's striker role.

Speaking to London News Online, the Charlton boss said: "At the moment Chuks hasn't really done anything to persuade me he can play up top.

"We tried to put him up there the other day [as a substitute against Birmingham] and he didn't do well.

"When we brought him on at Reading as a 10 he was better.

"So looking at performances I think he is better as a 10."

The Verdict

Although Bowyer hasn't ruled out the possibility of utilising Aneke in a deeper role over the coming weeks, the forward will have every right to be frustrated at the 42-year-old's comments.

Having fired in 19 goals in all competitions for MK Dons last season, he would have been hoping that his move to Charlton would result in him playing regularly as a striker.

However, with Bowyer suggesting that he is not ready to lead the line, Aneke will now have to fight off competition from the likes of Erhun Oztumer and Jonny Williams for a place in the Addicks' midfield.