Assistant Manager Lee Bowyer says that Charlton’s Checkatrade Trophy fixture against Fulham U21 on Wednesday is a great opportunity for the club’s young players to impress (7.45pm).
The Addicks are set to field a youthful side for the Southern Group A match and Bowyer believes that it will be a good learning curve for the academy graduates that are selected.
“This is a great opportunity for the young lads to put their names into the hat and to compete for places,” he said.
“They know what they have to produce and they will be playing with some good, experienced lads as well; Jacko, Ben Reeves, Mark Marshall and Joe Aribo are all in the side.
“It will be good for them, they will learn and that is what this is all about. If it was me in their position - going to play at The Valley in front of the fans - I’d want to use it to go and say ‘look, I’m here and I feel ready to play’.”
As well as benefiting the youngsters, the game will also see some players in need of minutes with an opportunity to play.
Bowyer said: “We have got another game on Sunday and I’m sure they will get some minutes there too. No matter how much you run people, there is nothing quite the same as match fitness.
“Hopefully they can get through these next few games unscathed and then we will have a much stronger squad.”