CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe insists Jose Riga is already having an impact at Charlton after just two games in the job.

The Belgian took charge at the Valley following the sacking of Chris Powell last week and subsequently led his side to 0-0 draws against Huddersfield and Millwall in the Championship.

Those results enabled Charlton to move within three points of safety with four games in hand, form which prompted Howe to suggest the Addicks have improved following Riga’s arrival.

He told the Daily Echo: “As with any new managerial appointment, he has given the players a boost. It’s difficult to judge him on two games, but he’s slightly changed their style of play and that makes it an intriguing game for us.

“He is clearly having an influence on how they are playing already but with so many games in a short period of time, he won’t be spending much time on the training ground. Whatever tweaks he makes will be small changes.”

Charlton’s stalemate against Millwall allowed them to jump two spots to 22nd, giving the Valley faithful renewed hope of avoiding the drop.

And Howe is well-aware of the psychological boost Riga’s troops will have gained by climbing off the bottom of the standings.

He said: “They will be lifted by being off the bottom of the league and that makes it a really tough game for us.”

“It’s one we need to be motivated for and if we are, on current form, we’ll have a good chance.

“They haven’t conceded in their past two games and have been hard to beat.

“It’s all about how we perform and the key thing is to make sure we’re motivated to put in another performance and get the result.”