Nathan Jones is pleased with his side’s pre-season progression as they continued their preparations with a 2-0 victory over Colchester United on Tuesday evening.
Speaking following the penultimate pre-season friendly of the summer, the gaffer provided a squad update and also looked ahead to the remainder of the Addicks’ pre-season prep ahead of the big kick-off and the club’s activity in the summer transfer window.
“We are in a good place", he explained.
"This pre-season has been a bit disjointed. We have had people not being able to play, we have had new players coming in late and not being able to play them, so we are gathering a bit of sharpness and a bit of momentum, I am really pleased.
“There are still a few people that need some minutes. We have two-and-a-half weeks of work before the Championship starts. Two more games, we have a supplementary game as well next Tuesday, so everyone will get minutes, and then we will be in a better place.”
"We are in a good place physically, we need that sharpness and that bit of spark about our play and that will come now in these weeks, leading first into the Cheltenham game and then the Derby game," added Jones.
Collins Sichenje, Micah Mbick and Josh Edwards are all yet to feature in the Addicks pre-season campaign, due to injury, but the Addicks' boss insisted that they are not far off a return to action.
“You will see Collins, Micah and Josh, probably in that order [in terms of recovery]," he said.
"Collins should play a part at Reading on the weekend, Micah shouldn’t be far behind him, and then Josh will be behind that, then we will have some real good options.”
Rob Apter’s has also been missing through injury, but Jones reassured that the winger would feature again before the end of the pre-season campaign.
“Rob will be back soon as well, quickly," explained Jones.
"Probably after Collins, in between him and Micah in terms of the fact that it isn’t serious, it's just a flare up. He had some stiffness in his knee, he is fine and it is nothing serious, he has been back out on the grass today."
Millenic Alli recently joined the Addicks on a four-year deal from Luton Town, becoming Jones' fifth signing of the summer window and the Valley boss provided an update on his fitness.
“Millenic Alli hasn’t done any pre-season at Luton, really, so we need build him up," he said.
"When we let Rob go on loan last season, we only had one player that can go one-v-one in TC [Tyreece Campbell]."
"Now we have him, we have Karlan Grant, we have Rob Apter, we have Millenic Alli and we are looking at bringing in another one as well. We are going to have five one-v-one options which is what we need.”
Jones also explained the other target areas in which the club are looking to recruit before the end of the summer window.
“We are looking at midfield players - we want a real dominant midfield player. We also want competition for Rob on his side, and we are actively looking for it, that is why we have kept our powder dry.”
The Addicks face Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday in their final pre-season test before their competitive season begins on Saturday, August 8th with a trip to Cheltenham Town in the Carabao Cup and it's a match that Jones is relishing.
“We will approach Saturday in the same manner," he said.
"It is a wonderful test and we are looking forward to it. It is another game where want to see a bit of sharpness and a bit more spark in our play.”
