Takeover saga sending League One boss 'crazy' as apples stop play at Fleetwood Town

Bowyer hopes Charlton’s situation can be settled quickly so he can rebuild the Addicks ready for a promotion challenge, who started life back in League One with a comfortable 2-0 win at Crewe.

With a nine-month-long transfer embargo still in place, Bowyer is still reliant on much of the same squad that lasted only one campaign in the Championship.

Bowyer said of the takeover dilemma: “It’s driving me crazy and we just need the go-ahead as I’ve got players lined up. I’ve got good defenders lined up but we can’t sign anyone at the moment.

“It’s driving me mad, but it is a great opportunity for players like Charlie Barker. He’s done really well today and he will play again on Tuesday against West Ham in the Carabao Cup.

“I am trying to stay out of it and I can’t get side tracked with what is going on off the pitch but when it is settled I can start rebuilding, which is what we need to do.”

Meanwhile, Fleetwood’s home game against Burton Albion was stopped for a minute after some apples were thrown on the pitch in the 73rd minute from people stood outside the ground, with the game being played behind-closed-doors.

On the pitch, they beat Burton 2-1 and Joey Barton was delighted to follow their two cup victories with a League One win.

“At home you want to get off to a decent start, especially after the disappointment of missing out in the play-offs last year,” he said.

“You always worry how the first league game after that will go, you wonder if there’s pity or sorrow in the group but to be fair to the lads the way they started the game was outstanding.

“We had that disappointment of Burton equalising but we showed the character to go up the other end and get the winning goal.

“We were probably a tad unfortunate not to have more, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team of mine hit the bar and post and have so many cleared off the line. Thankfully we got maximum points though.”