TEAM NEWS | Maatsen returns as one of two changes for Crewe clash

Ian Maatsen returns to the starting XI as one of two changes made by Nigel Adkins for his side’s clash against Crewe Alexandra at The Valley this evening (7pm).

The Chelsea loanee comes in for Diallang Jaiyesimi, who was forced off after 24 minutes against Peterborough United last weekend with a hamstring injury, while Akin Famewo replaces Ryan Inniss at the heart of Adkins’ defence.

If the Addicks line up in the same 4-3-3 formation used in the previous five games then Adam Matthews, Famewo, captain Jason Pearce and Ben Purrington will make up the back four in front of Ben Amos. Alex Gilbey, Ben Watson and Jake Forster-Caskey form a three-man midfield, with Maatsen and Liam Millar operating either side of Jayden Stockley.

Inniss is joined on the bench by Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Chris Gunter, Darren Pratley, Albie Morgan, Chuks Aneke and Conor Washington.

Speaking on his team selection, the Charlton manager said: “Diallang Jaiyesimi is out - obviously it’s a shame he came off. He’s replaced in the starting XI with Ian Maatsen. We’re not expecting Ian to play a full 90 minutes but it’s great that we’re going to start him in there. I think everyone can appreciate where we probably are with some of the players at this moment in time with the minutes they can play without running the risk of injury. Ryan Inniss is going to start on the bench so Akin Famewo comes in at the centre-half position.

“It’s great to see that Conor Washington and Chuks Aneke are both on the bench as well. It’s great that we’ve got them on the bench, it’s great that we can be thinking about 20 minutes, half an hour, and now 45 minutes to make an impact in the game with hopefully minimal risk of them getting injured. I want to play them all from the start but I know that at this moment in time they are coming back from injury.”

Charlton: Amos; Matthews, Famewo, Pearce (C), Purrington; Gilbey, Watson, Forster-Caskey; Maatsen, Millar, Stockley.

Subs: Maynard-Brewer, Gunter, Inniss, Pratley, Morgan, Aneke, Washington.

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