Ben Garner's pre-Cheltenham injury update

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Ben Garner has provided an encouraging update on the injury front ahead of Friday’s game against Cheltenham Town at The Valley.

Steven Sessegnon was withdrawn shortly after the hour-mark during last weekend’s Emirates FA Cup tie with Stockport County, while Chuks Aneke played 67 minutes on what was his first start of the season.

“Sess is fine,” said the boss in his Thursday press conference. “That was just cramp in his hamstring and it’s really good news that that’s all it was.

“Chuks is fine, too,” Garner added. “He’s been building his minutes, he’s been training well and he came through the game absolutely fine.

“It was good to get those minutes into him and it gives us the option of then starting with him again or having him coming on and having an impact in this next run of games. The important thing for me is keeping Chuks fit and available, and utilising him as best we can.”

Craig MacGillivray has returned to full training following a spell on the sidelines with concussion.

“Craig is fine, he has trained all week,” revealed Garner. “He trained for a couple of days at the end of last week, fulfilled the protocol and has now had a full week of training this week. He’s been absolutely fine so he’s fit and available.”

Meanwhile, Miles Leaburn and Terell Thomas have both stepped up their respective recoveries.

“Miles has been running this week out on the grass which has been great to see. He's progressing nicely.

"We've got a plan at the moment where we're ticking off the boxes that we want and I would hope that he will be back within the next two to three weeks, but we have to take that day-by-day and we have to listen to Miles and how his body is reacting as well. All is progressing well and hopefully it's sooner rather than later.

"Terell has been running out on the grass doing some running as well so it's probably a similar timeframe to Miles I would say, maybe a touch longer."

The manager was impressed by the returning Diallang Jaiyesimi, who was introduced as a late substitute against the Hatters following an ankle injury.

“It’s great to have DJ back. I thought he had a real impact when he came on. He did really well and obviously he comes into our thinking for tomorrow night as well.”

Charlton return to The Valley on Friday to take on Cheltenham Town. Adult tickets cost just £19.92 as the club celebrates 30 Years Back At The Valley and all 2022/23 season-ticket holders are invited to bring a friend to the game for free. Click here to purchase your tickets.

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