Aneke set to feature v Exeter, Garner confirms

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Chuks Aneke is set to feature in Ben Garner’s matchday squad for the visit of Exeter City on Tuesday night.

The forward is yet to figure for the Addicks so far this season having sustained a calf injury during pre-season.

"Chuks has had a really good few days,” revealed Garner. “He trained fully again with the group that trained yesterday. He was great not just on an individual level, but he was really positive around the rest of the group and he gave everyone a lift. 

“It certainly gave me a lift yesterday seeing the way he trained and having another forward player to select from,” he added. “All being well today he will be in the squad tomorrow and we're delighted to have him back. Having Chuks as another senior striker with Jayden will certainly help both in terms of options starting games and coming on from the bench and having an impact."

Charlton take on a Grecians side that Garner is familiar with having faced them home and away last term, albeit with the caveat of a change in coaching staff following the recent departure of former Addick Matt Taylor.

"Exeter are a good side, obviously I played against them twice last season and they were deservedly promoted from the league,” Garner said. 

"They've had a really good start in League One this season. They play pretty direct, they look to play into the channels early and play the territory, but they've also got talented front players that are up with some of the best-performing front players in the division at the moment. 

“They carry threats and again, like Lincoln, they are good on the counter-attack and so we have to be good with the ball,” he continued. “There are areas that we can really hurt within their system and that needs to be a big focus of ours.

"We want to build on Saturday’s clean sheet but have more impetus in our attacking play. Being at home we obviously want to be on the front foot and have the momentum in the game."

Asked if he has had any conversations with Thomas Sandgaard about what January could look like, Garner said: "Yeah, absolutely. We need to recruit and we need to add the group. We need to get not just the type of player but the type of character that's going to take us forward in how we want to grow the football club and how we want to play. That's key. 

“We're doing that in two ways with development on the training ground and time on the training ground but the simplest way, if you like, is improve the tools at your disposal. If you're trying to build something or create something, the more tools you have and the better tools you have the easier that becomes. That's certainly a focus for January.”

Click here to get your tickets for Tuesday's clash against the Grecians in SE7.

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