TEAM NEWS | Gilbey starts Portsmouth clash

Alex Gilbey will make his first start of the season for the Addicks in this afternoon’s clash against Portsmouth at The Valley.

The midfielder returns as one of five changes made by manager Nigel Adkins, having enjoyed a 15 minute cameo at Gillingham on Tuesday.

There is also a return to the starting XI for Pape Souaré, Harry Arter, Jonathan Leko and Jayden Stockley.

Should Charlton continue in the 4-3-3 formation employed at Priestfield in midweek then Adam Matthews, Sam Lavelle, captain Jason Pearce and Souaré will form the defensive quartet ahead of Craig MacGillivray.

Arter and Gilbey are likely to join Ben Watson in Adkins’ three-man midfield, with Leko and Elliot Lee operating alongside Stockley.

Elsewhere, Stephen Henderson features in the matchday squad for the first time since rejoining the Addicks.

The Irish stopper is joined on the bench by Akin Famewo, George Dobson, Sean Clare, Albie Morgan, Corey Blackett-Taylor, Diallang Jaiyesimi, Charlie Kirk and Josh Davison.

Speaking on his team selection, Adkins told CharltonTV: “We’re going to bring Pape Souaré into the left-back position, obviously Ben Purrington played his first 90 minutes on Tuesday against Gillingham following his hamstring injury against Reading in pre-season so mindful that we don’t overstretch him.

“Three in the middle of the park - Ben Watson was outstanding in midweek, Harry Arter comes and joins him with Alex Gilbey. He’s making his first start since last season after getting some game time the other day so that’s a big plus for us.

“Up front Jayden Stockley comes back in at centre-forward - I thought Josh Davison was outstanding the other night. Conor Washington’s not fit but hopefully he’ll be alright for Tuesday. Elliot Lee will just play narrow on the left-hand side and [Jonathan] Leko will play on the right-hand side to give us that bit of pace.”

Charlton: MacGillivray; Matthews, Lavelle, Pearce (c), Souaré; Gilbey, Watson, Arter; Leko, Stockley, Lee

Subs: Henderson, Famewo, Dobson, Clare, Blackett-Taylor, Kirk, Davison

Supporters in the UK and Ireland can listen to live commentary of the game on CharltonTV from Greg Stubley and Steve Brown. Click here to purchase your pass.

Supporters outside the UK and Ireland can purchase a live streaming pass for this afternoon’s fixture by clicking here.

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