Injury to Terell Thomas means Charlton may have to recall National League loanees, admits Ben Garner

Ben Garner may be forced to recall some Charlton youngsters who have been sent out on loan as Terell Thomas became the latest addition to their defensive injury woes.

The centre-half was forced off during the early stages of the Addicks’ 4-1 FA Cup first round win over non-league Coalville Town.

Eoghan O’Connell is set for several weeks on the sidelines after suffering a knee problem against Ipswich last weekend with Mandela Egbo set for even longer out with a quad issue.

The South Londoners have defenders Deji Elerewe and Charlie Barker out on loan with National League Wealdstone. Lucas Ness has made the temporary switch to Torquay in the same division.

Garner explained: “We have got recalls on all the players that are out. If Terell is anything remotely serious then we will be recalling at least one of those back.

“We’ve got five out in the National League and two in the National League South. We spoke about it in the week at the technical board meeting. Deji played pretty much every game for Wealdstone. Lucas Ness has just gone out to Torquay who will play Derby in the FA Cup tomorrow.

“We’ve got lads out playing regularly which is what we want. It’s the most we’ve ever had out at that level. Hopefully each one coming back to us will be further developed and further along the line in terms of their careers.

“[Thomas’ injury is] just one that we’ve got to assess. that’s the big disappointment today because we’re so stretched at the back. We just haven’t got the numbers and we’ll have to assess that and wait to see what that is.”

Coalville’s goal, scored by Ashley Chambers, came after Sam Lavelle misjudged a long ball towards the edge of the Addicks area.

But Garner, who recently dropped the former Morecambe man from his side before Ryan Inniss’ suspension forced him to return to the squad, said he was pleased with how the centre-half responded to the setback against the non-leaguers.

“Sam was excellent, bar that,” Garner added.

“It was just a lapse and that happens. He responded really well afterwards, showed good character. He almost scored at the other end to put it right. It was just a lapse in concentration – a mistake. As a team, we want to reduce those as much as possible. It’s always good to have it in a win. We learn from it without any damage and we move on.

“Each player coming in has to stake their claim. Take their opportunity to try and stay in the team and give me as many headaches as possible.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS/KEITH GILLARD