Charlton manager Lee Bowyer is hopeful that striker Lyle Taylor can be convinced to stay at the Valley beyond the end of the season.

Taylor, 29, is out of contract at the end of this campaign, with Charlton risking the loss of one of their most prized assets on a free transfer, and Bowyer knows that losing his star frontman would be a blow. "Lyle is priceless for us. I think from when we bought him in to what he’s done to now has been outstanding. He’s a very good striker," he said.

Having warded off renewed interest from several clubs in January, however, Charlton are under pressure once again to convince Taylor to put pen to paper.

Following Taylor’s match-winning goal in Tuesday night’s surprise win over high-flying Nottingham Forest, Bowyer emphasised how crucial it was to retain his services beyond the January transfer window.

Bowyer, who signed a new three-and-a-half year contract in January to keep him at the Valley until the summer of 2023, said: "I’m just glad he’s here, we didn’t lose him in January and, for as long as Lyle’s here, we’ve always got a chance of winning games."

When asked about the possibility of Taylor agreeing a new contract, Bowyer hoped that the nature of his relationship with the striker might persuade him to stay.