DARRELL Clarke is pleased with the progress in his strikers’ goal return and fitness while he has backed young loanees Gaga Slonina and Matty Craig to improve after their ‘dip in form.’

Sam Cosgrove and Max Watters, who were the only senior strikers at the start of the season, have both just recovered from injury with deadline day signings Davis Keillor-Dunn and Stephen Humphrys starting up front this week.

Keillor-Dunn scored twice this week with Watters coming off the bench to net in midweek.

Clarke told the Chronicle: “It’s been frustrating at the top end of the pitch. We did our work a little bit late in the window which wasn’t ideal but we got on with it. We’ve got four strikers fit and playing for the first time this season.

“Humphs looks dangerous, strong and powerful. He missed a massive amount of pre-season but we’re seeing the fruits of his labour with his fitness after being patient with him.

“Davo is showing more. His intensity in training has been very good – it’s a bit of a change from what he’s used to but he is getting used to it.

“Hopefully we can settle down the centre forward position with Sam and Max coming back and having healthy competition.”

Midfielder Craig and goalkeeper Slonina, on loan from Tottenham and Chelsea respectively, have had a mixed start to life with the Reds and made errors for Charlton’s goals in the midweek 2-2 draw at Oakwell.

Clarke said: “They have had a dip in form but they are young lads. It’s always going to happen. They get my full support. They are both great lads and great pros. There always has to be scapegoats. There will always be one or two players not at it.

“Every member of my squad is important to me and I stick by them when they are having patches of form that are not going well.”