PAPA JOHN’S TROPHY PREVIEW | Charlton v MK Dons

Charlton will be targeting a place in the Papa John’s Trophy quarter-finals on Tuesday evening (7pm) when MK Dons visit The Valley.

Having eased their way through Southern Group G, the Addicks defeated Aston Villa U21s 2-1 in SE7 last month to book the round of 16 tie with the Dons, who finished as runners-up to the young Villans in Southern Group C.

TEAM NEWS 

Adam Matthews (calf) and Corey Blackett-Taylor (hamstring) could both feature for Johnnie Jackson's side having returned to full training last week, though long-term absentees Sam Lavelle (groin) and Jake Forster-Caskey (ACL) will miss out as they continue their respective rehabilitation programmes.

Top scorer Jayden Stockley (hip) will be assessed after missing the Addicks’ narrow New Year’s Day reverse against Wycombe Wanderers with a minor niggle, but Albie Morgan is ineligible having accumulated two cautions.

Troy Parrott is suspended for the visitors following his dismissal in the previous round, while Aden Baldwin and Josh Martin will both be monitored having missed the Dons’ last two outings. 

THE OPPOSITION

In identical fashion to the Addicks, the Dons' group stage campaign yielded two wins and a solitary defeat.

Liam Manning's side then secured their progression to the round of 16 with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out triumph against Leyton Orient following a goalless stalemate at the Breyer Group Stadium.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Tuesday’s meeting will be the 20th instalment of this fixture with the Addicks winning eight, the Dons seven and the remaining four encounters resulting in draws.

The sides last squared off back in August at Stadium MK, with the hosts prevailing 2-1 as goals from Parrott and Mo Eisa cancelled out Stockley’s headed opener.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Lee Swabey will control proceedings on Tuesday evening. The official last refereed a Charlton fixture in September 2021 - a 4-1 reverse against Bolton Wanderers in SE7.

Swabey will be assisted by Damith Bandara and Daniel Bonneywell, while Sam Allison is the Fourth Official.

OTHER INFO

Tickets for Tuesday’s Papa John’s Trophy tie in SE7 cost just £5 for adults and £1 for concessions. Click here to get yours.

Due to the smaller crowd expected, supporters will not need to present COVID certification upon entry at Tuesday evening's game. However, supporters are still asked to wear masks while moving around indoor areas of the stadium.

CharltonTV’s match-only coverage will be available to supporters worldwide, with Terry Smith and Greg Stubley providing commentary. Tuesday’s production will start shortly before kick-off (7pm GMT). For more streaming information, please click here.

Supporters should be aware that the club shop will shut at 7pm this evening.

There will be no matchday programme tonight, though fans can find a printable PDF of the official teamsheet in the team news story on cafc.co.uk from 6pm.

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