Charlton boss makes admission over on-loan Chelsea defender

Charlton Athletic boss Lee Bowyer is not disappointed at Ian Maatsen picking up a suspension – admitting the Chelsea youngster needed a break.

The young Dutch left-back collected his fifth caution of the League One campaign in today’s 2-0 win at Ipswich and will sit out the visit of Milton Keynes on Wednesday night.

Bowyer confirmed that Ben Purrington will replace him for the match in SE7.

“Ben will come in,” said the Addicks chief. “When he came off the bench here he did really well – defended the far post really well.

“He [Maatsen] probably needed a little rest, if I’m honest. I spoke to someone at Chelsea earlier on in the week and said I’m going to drop him out here and there, because he is 18 years old and I don’t want to burn him out.

“He’s a young kid learning the game, so now probably the suspension will do him well.”

Charlton are third in the League One table and can go above second-placed Peterborough if they were to win their game in hand.

“We’re moving in the right direction,” said Bowyer. “There’s a long way to go. I’m looking forward to Wednesday’s game now – get back home.

“I just feel like we’ve been on the road and not been at our place for a while now. It will be great to be there with some of the fans.”

PHOTO: KYLE ANDREWS