Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe has praised Charlton Athletic's January business and claimed that keeping Lyle Taylor could be the key to ensuring they stay in the Championship this season.

Taylor fired the Addicks into the division last season, scoring 25 goals and helping the South London club win promotion via the League One play-offs.

Despite suffering from injury issues, the 29-year-old has been in fantastic goalscoring form again in the 2019/20 campaign–scoring eight times in 15 appearances.

Taylor's current contract expires in the summer and after the two parties failed to come to an agreement over a new deal, there were reports suggesting that the striker could be set to leave.

However, Charlton managed to keep hold of their star man, as well as adding some interesting new signings.

Midfielder David Davis joined the club from Birmingham City, while winger Aiden McGeady made the switch from League One side Sunderland, and striker Andre Green has been signed on loan from Preston North End.

Speaking on the Sky Sports EFL Podcast, Hinchcliffe assessed Charlton's January business and indicated that Taylor could be key to keeping them up.

He said: "David Davis is a very solid midfielder, that makes a lot of sense. Aiden McGeady, again a bit like Ravel Morrison if you get the best out of him he can be a gamechanger.

"But if you've got a centre-forward like Lyle Taylor who guarantees you goals, he scored again at the weekend.

"I'm not saying it's all about Lyle Taylor. I'm not saying staying in the Championship is all about one player for Charlton.

"But if you've got one player who can knock in 10 or 12 goals between now and the end of the season it will keep Charlton in the Championship.

"Sadly, that is what the season has become for Charlton.

"Keeping Taylor is a huge boost. I can only imagine what it would've done to the dressing room had Lyle Taylor left."

The Addicks are 19th as things stand–just four points above the relegation zone.

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The Verdict

It's hard to disagree with Hinchcliffe on this one.

Charlton have done some really smart bits of business this month but none of their arrivals are likely to be as pivotal as keeping Taylor.

If the 29-year-old can start scoring at the sort of rate he was at the start of the season, you'd imagine there is a great chance that the Addicks can start to climb the table again.

He scored against Barnsley on Saturday and you feel Bowyer will be hoping that can help him get back to top speed.