Charlton’s congested fixture list sees Lee Bowyer’s side tasked with another midweek clash as they face Leyton Orient in the Papa John’s EFL Trophy on Tuesday night (7pm).
The Addicks are unable to progress from Southern Group G after a 2-1 loss at AFC Wimbledon and a penalty-shootout win against Brighton & Hove Albion’s U21s, while the visitors are already through with two wins from as many games.
Team News
Lee Bowyer is expected to play a youthful side at The Valley and will be boosted by the return of club captain Jason Pearce to the matchday squad. The Addicks boss has confirmed Marcus Maddison will start again, provided the former Posh man came through Saturday’s match unscathed.
Charlton will be without the quartet of Akin Famewo (hamstring), Deji Oshilaja (foot), Alex Gilbey (Achilles), and Alfie Doughty (hamstring).
For the visitors, Cypriot striker Ruel Sotiriou could return after being left out during Orient’s FA Cup tie against Newport County at the Breyer Group Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
O’s duo Myles Judd and Lee Angol are nearing returns for Ross Embleton’s side after stepping up their recovery from hamstring injuries.
Bowyer Blasts EFL Trophy
Speaking after Charlton’s match against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, Addicks boss Lee Bowyer blasted the Papa John’s EFL Trophy.
“For sure. They’re not for us,” said Bowyer when asked if the EFL Trophy should have been discarded for this season.
“What are we gaining from it? We’re not gaining nothing. Maybe a little bit of experience for our young lads, but it’s silly. It’s pathetic. A stupid cup. No one cares!”
Head-to-Head
Charlton have faced Leyton Orient on 50 previous occasions, with the Addicks winning 22, the O’s 18, and the remaining 10 games resulting in stalemates.
The sides last met in August 2012 in an EFL Cup tie at The Valley. Orient advanced into the second-round that night, winning the tie 4-3 on penalties with nothing to separate the two sides after first-half goals from Scott Wagstaff and Mathieu Baudry.
The last win for the Addicks against the O’s came in March 2012 in a League One fixture with goals from Scott Wagstaff and Dany N’Guessan in SE7.
