Igor Vetokele’s rise to prominence in the last month may have taken many by surprise but Lee Bowyer wasn’t one of them, despite admitting he’s impressed by the forward.

Scoring and assisting in the 3-1 win over Luton in a performance Bowyer labelled ‘outstanding’ last time out, people are finally seeing the capabilities of the 27-year-old who was second fiddle to Karlan Grant earlier in the season.

Bowyer however believes this is exactly what the Angolan needed to do if he was to have a future with Charlton, or any other club.

“His contract is up in the summer, he has to do well otherwise no one will take him!” he said.

“That’s the reality of football.

“Yes he has to do well for himself, but first of all if he does well for us it puts him on the radar.

“I’ve told him to grab the opportunity with both hands, and that’s what he’s doing.”

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Despite giving an honest assessment of what he Vetokele needs to do, Bowyer praised the hardwork he put in to getting fit after three months out with a dislocated shoulder before Christmas as well as time spent in the treatment room at the beginning of the season.

“I’m excited because I’m seeing a player I’ve heard so much about because I hadn’t seen him play as he wasn’t here last season.

“Before his injury everyone was telling me he scores goals for fun.

“If we keep him fit I’m sure he’ll score goals because we create chances.

“With more games he’s got fitter, and obviously his movement is improving, he’s looking sharper, he's getting better and better.

"He's naturally good in the air, physically he’s good, he holds the ball up well, that's something we didn’t have with Karlan.

"We lost the threat down the sides maybe but he’s brought something different to us.

“I’m happy with where he’s at at the moment.”

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