Johnnie Jackson answers question on Ronnie Schwartz’s continued absence from Charlton side after striker not involved during EFL Trophy clash

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Charlton assistant manager Johnnie Jackson says that striker Ronnie Schwartz is still behind on his fitness and that is the reason he didn’t feature during the 6-1 EFL Trophy mauling of Crawley Town.

Danish forward Schwartz joined the Addicks during the January transfer window at the start of the year but has only featured for 10 minutes since Nigel Adkins took up the reins at The Valley in March.

He hasn’t been involved at all this season and wasn’t even named on the bench for the win over League Two Crawley.

When asked if tonight wasn’t to be the night Schwartz was able to feature then would he ever be given a chance, Jackson responded: “I can understand the questions. The issue with Ronnie is that he came back to us a little bit late because he had some personal issues that he needed to take care of back home.

“Consequently, he’s found himself a little bit behind with his training and his fitness. We’re just trying to get him up to speed as best he can and when he is, if he’s at the football club he’s going to be involved. We wouldn’t alienate anyone. But tonight wasn’t quite right fitness-wise for Ronnie to be involved.

“We just felt we need to build that up, obviously what we’re seeing on the training ground as well. And there’s competition for all these games. Josh [Davison] deserved his opportunity tonight and the way we’re playing with one striker at the minute and a ten off of him and two wingers, we felt tonight was a good opportunity for Josh.”

PHOTO: KYLE ANDREWS