TEAM NEWS | Billy Clarke will captain the Addicks in tonight’s Checkatrade Trophy clash

Last time Charlton Athletic played a Checkatrade Trophy game, we recorded the club’s record-win, an 8-0 victory over Stevenage. Another win would see the Addicks top Southern Group G and as long as Charlton avoid defeat we will qualify for the next round.

Tonight’s game at The Valley sees Lee Bowyer's boys take on a Swansea City U21s side that need a win to qualify. 

Charlton manager Bowyer will hand Billy Clarke his first start since returning from an injury that has kept him out 11 months. The former Bradford City man will captain the side and is expected to play the holding role in Bowyer’s favoured diamond formation.

First teamers Mark Marshall, Tariqe Fosu and Nicky Ajose also start while there are full debuts for goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu and Kenneth Yao. 

In front of Maynard-Brewer is expected to be a back four of Sarpong-Wiredu, Yao, Ryan Blumberg and Jamie Mascoll, who scored in his last Checkatrade Trophy game at The Valley, a 2-2 draw with AFC Wimbledon.

Billy Clarke will sit at the base of a strong looking midfield diamond with Marshall and the impressive Albie Morgan in front of him while Fosu will play behind the strike force of Ajose and Reeco Hackett-Fairchild. 

Substitutes Joe Osaghae, Jordan Zemura, Luke Carey and Terrique Anderson make a Charlton squad for the first time, while Toby Stevenson will be hoping to continue his fantastic goalscoring run if called upon.

Full commentary of the game is available on Valley Pass from 7.30pm.

Charlton: Maynard-Brewer; Sarpong-Wiredu, Yao, Blumberg, Mascoll; Clarke (C), Marshall, Morgan, Fosu; Hackett-Fairchild, Ajose

Substitutes: Osaghae, Zemura, Carey, Anderson, Stevenson, Dempsey, Maloney 

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