Lee Bowyer is desperate to bring in new players during the January transfer window as Charlton “need help” in their fight to avoid relegation from the Championship.

The Addicks, who have been ravaged by injuries this season, ended up with four players aged 20 and under in their 2-1 defeat to Preston North End – Albie Morgan, Alfie Doughty, Ben Dempsey and Josh Davison.

Although they have brought in Andre Green on loan from Aston Villa for the rest of the season, there is a desire to bring in more bodies in the fight for survival after three of their loan signings' spells at the club were cut short.

Beram Kayal and Jonathan Leko both returned to their respective clubs due to injury issues, while Conor Gallagher was recalled by Chelsea and shipped out on loan to Swansea City.

Charlton remain five points off the drop zone with 29 points.

Bowyer said: “We need to bring bodies in, that’s obvious. I know it, [director of football] Steve Gallen knows it and the chairman [Matt Southall] knows it. The sooner, the better for me. The sooner we start bringing bodies in the better because we need help.

“Not just for myself, the players [as well]. They need help. They know it. Everyone can see what’s happening. A bit of help and a few more players coming back and then we’ll give ourselves a better chance.

“We’ve given targets, the players that we want to bring in, and the sooner we start bringing players in the better.”

But as much as Charlton want to bring in fresh faces, they are also keen to keep their most important players too. Bowyer also confirmed a ‘silly’ player-for-player offer for star striker which he branded as ‘ridiculous’.

He added: “This is something that is out of my hands. I’m not the money person. I’m not controlling that side of things. All I can control is that we keep working hard and trying to win games.”