CHARLTON’S prospects of winning the fight for Premiership survival will be enhanced by the return to fitness of Ben Thatcher, Hermann Hreidarsson and Madjid Bougherra when battle resumes against Newcastle on March 18.

Manager Alan Pardew expects the injured trio to train in preparation for Newcastle’s visit, for which Souleymane Diawara is available having served a one-match suspension.

Pardew said: "Not many Premier League clubs could cope after losing three centre-halves of the calibre of Hreidarsson, Diawara and Bougherra."

Pardew pointed to the absence of players in key positions for the sluggish start to the 2-2 draw against Watford.

He added: "I believe the changes disrupted us because we were unsure and unbalanced."

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