Charlton boss Lee Bowyer says he needs to see an improvement from Jonny Williams on the training ground before he gets more minutes

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Charlton’s midfield maestro Jonny Williams has only been involved for eight minutes since the Addicks returned to action – and boss Lee Bowyer says he needs to see an improvement from the Welsh international on the training ground before he will get more opportunities.

The 26-year-old played a cameo role in the dying stages of Charlton’s 1-0 win at Hull City three games ago, but has been an unused substitute for the outings with QPR and Cardiff City since.

The former Ipswich loanee had played a pivotal role in Bowyer’s side at times before the season was halted due to the coronavirus, and the Addicks boss hopes he will do so again before the season is over.

“There’s competition for places,” explained Bowyer.

“Jonny will get an opportunity at some stage. He’s got to grab it. Like I said, I judge them all in training every day so that’s where I need to see things improve from Jonny. He’s trying. He’s getting fitter.

“That’s the thing, some people come back fitter than others. The break wasn’t kind to Jonny, let’s say. He’ll get his opportunities and he can play a part in the last two-three games. Which are just as important as the first two or three.”

Williams’ fellow attacking midfielder Erhun Oztumer was another notable absentee at the Cardiff City Stadium, left out of the matchday squad for the second game in a row after himself remaining an unused sub at Hull.

Bowyer said: “He’s fine. But we’ve got everybody fit apart from a couple. So, some people have got to miss out. Unfortunately for Ozzy, it’s his turn that he’s missing out at the moment. But we’ve got training now for the next two days and he has the opportunity to change things.

“I judge them a lot in training. That’s how Albie [Morgan] got back into the side. He looked very sharp in training and was doing the right things. I judge them all like that.”

One attacker who has impressed since the restart is Chuks Aneke. The former Milton Keynes man earned his first-ever Championship start with the club during the stalemate in south Wales and caught the eye of his manager.

“Very good,” said Bowyer.

“Held the ball up, caused them a lot of problems. On another day he probably scores. Really pleased with Chuks. He came in and did a good job for us.

“Once Lyle [Taylor] left, Chuks stepped forward and said: ‘I’m going to be your man.’ He did really well. In the two friendlies he played, he was excellent in both. Then he got a little niggle, we had to rest him for a week or so.

“Chuks has looked very well and I thought he played very well tonight.”