CHARLTON'S long-term injury casualties took a giant stride towards returning to contention by playing in Tuesday's private friendly against Arsenal behind closed doors at the Gunners' London Colney training ground.

Souleyman Diawara, Omar Pouso, Gonzalo Sorondo and Jerome Thomas all played in a 2-1 defeat. The four could come into contention for Charlton's match on Monday at Fulham.

The only downside for Charlton boss Iain Dowie was the early withdrawal of Sorondo who suffered a recurrence of a back injury.

Diawara suffered the misfortune of putting through his own goal for Arsenal's first and Nacer Barazite added a second. Darren Ambrose replied in the 80th minute.

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