LAST season’s Player of the Year Craig Woodman has handed injury-hit Wanderers a major boost ahead of their clash at Charlton tomorrow by declaring himself fit for the League One curtain raiser.

The former Bristol City left back has managed just 45 minutes of pre-season action so far, in the game against his old club last weekend, but he says he’s ready to go.

His return in time for The Valley showdown after a groin injury is a massive boost to the club who will kick off their first season back in the third tier of English football with five players unavailable through injury.

The Blues have been stripped of two of their first choice midfielders with star player Tommy Doherty and impressive new signing Ian Westlake both ruled out for around a month after picking up injuries in the pre-season defeat against QPR.

The Doc has ankle ligament damage, which could keep him out for more than a month, while ex-England U21 international Westlake has pulled his hamstring and is hoping to be back in three weeks.

Both the club’s right backs are also out. For the second summer running jinxed Lewis Hunt has missed the entire pre-season, this time with a broken foot, and his understudy TJ Moncur is out with a hamstring strain.

Again manager Peter Taylor isn’t expecting to see either for a further three weeks.

Midfielder Lewwis Spence is another non-starter. He is facing the best part of a further month out with a heel injury.

In addition, Wanderers also have concerns over keeper Scott Shearer who broke his nose in the 3-1 defeat at Bristol.

The glovesman had it reset at the ground and Blues are confident he will be fit.

He has trained this week but missed Tuesday’s close-range shooting drill as a precaution and will be put through his paces and have his confidence fully-tested before Taylor makes his decision.

But the injury situation is much better than it was.

Striker Jon-Paul Pittman has shrugged off his groin problem while new signing, midfielder Stuart Green, and centre half Leon Johnson both appeared at Bristol without any ill-effects after their hamstring problems.

But while Taylor checks on the fitness of his players, Woodman has told him he doesn’t need to worry about him.

He told the Free Press: “The injury has healed well. It took a while and a couple of scans to find it but I’m ready to go now.

“Even though I was injured I was still working hard in the gym.

“I felt fine last week and I wouldn’t have any worries about playing 90 minutes on Saturday and then doing another 90 in the Carling Cup against Peterborough on Tuesday.

“I am raring to go. It’s been a frustrating summer, I don’t like being injured and hopeful I am now over the injuries for the season. I played every game last season and I’d love to do that again.”

Blues have sent back half of the 900 tickets they have been allocated by Charlton But the match is not all-ticket and Wanderers are expecting more fans to travel and pay on the day. Tickets are £25 adults, or £17 for the U21s and over 65s. Under 18s can gain admission for just a fiver.