Johnnie Jackson says spirits are high in the Charlton camp ahead of his side’s Sky Bet League One fixture at Morecambe on Tuesday.
The Addicks make their inaugural trip to the Mazuma Stadium on the back of a thrilling 2-0 triumph over table-toppers Plymouth Argyle in front of a bumper SE7 crowd on Saturday to extend Jackson’s exemplary record as Caretaker Manager.
“The mood around the training ground has been really good, the lads have been in bubbly form,” explained Jackson. “Obviously winning games helps - you come in on a Monday after a win on a Saturday and everyone’s got a smile on their face and a little bounce.
“Just trying to obviously keep the mood and spirits high,” he continued. “But also we’ve got to be serious and we’ve got to have our clear focus on the upcoming test that we’ve got because we’ve got some tricky games coming up.”
The 39-year-old is expecting stern opposition in the form of Stephen Robinson’s side, reserving particular praise for Shrimps frontman Cole Stockton - the division’s joint top scorer.
“You’ve only got to look at the top end of the pitch there in [Cole] Stockton, who has scored 12 goals already and he scored from inside his own half at the weekend, so there’s obvious threats.
“It’s a difficult place to go,” Jackson added. “They’ll make it difficult for you. Up there on the coast it can be a little bit windy at times as well and conditions can be difficult, so we’re going to turn up with the right attitude there and they certainly aren’t going to roll over and make it easy for us.”
Jackson revealed both Jonathan Leko and Pape Souaré have made the trip to Lancashire, while also affording an update on Jason Pearce after the club captain was forced off against the Pilgrims last weekend.
“[Jonathan] Leko and Pape Souaré are available to us - they’ve travelled with the group. Jason Pearce obviously came off the pitch on Saturday with a little knock on his knee and it’s going to be touch and go whether he makes it.
“Hopefully it’s nothing too serious but Tuesday might come a little too quick for him. So, we’re obviously keeping an eye on him and assessing him to see where he’s at but beyond that everyone’s fresh and ready to go.”