Ben Garner: Great for Charlton Athletic fans that we’re only London club left in EFL Cup

Ben Garner reckons that Charlton Athletic being the last London club standing in the EFL Cup is a nice reward for the supporters.

The Addicks are through to the fourth round of the competition and have been drawn at home to Brighton with the tie taking place next month.

Charlton have twice won on penalties – in the home first round victory over QPR and then earlier this week at Stevenage. Diallang Jaiyesimi scored the only goal at Walsall in round two.

Asked about the Addicks flying the flag for capital involvement in the tournament, Garner told the South London Press: “I was told that yesterday [Thursday]. It’s brilliant for the supporters as you want a big of bragging rights sometimes. There probably hasn’t been too many opportunities over the past few seasons to do that.

“It’s brilliant for the supporters and a really unique situation.

“For all the other London clubs to go out – especially the big Premier League London clubs that have done really well in this competition – it’s surprising.

“The focus for us was on getting through. It’s great that we’re there. We’ve got a really good Premier League club, a really good side. For me probably one of the most impressive football clubs in the country over the last five or six years. A brilliant owner in terms of what they have done there and how they go about their business.”

Brighton are at home to Aston Villa on Sunday but then do not play until their tie against Charlton shortly before Christmas.

Asked if Albion’s break could work in the Addicks’ favour, Garner said: “I’ll let you know after the game. It can go either way. They could rest and come back refreshed. They can have lots of training time or, equally, they could come back a little bit rusty.

“It’s going to depend how we do in the build-up to that – minimising injuries and keeping as many players available as possible. We’ll have to see nearer the time. It’s a great game to look forward to but there’s a lot of football to be played before then. I’ll start looking forward to that a couple of days leading into it.

“The Carabao Cup with some of the clubs in there and some of the historic grounds, I’m sure the supporters were wishing for an Anfield, Old Trafford or the Etihad and I understand that element to it.

“In terms of playing Brighton, we have got a better chance of winning at home than we would have done playing away so that is important.

“That is a game, when it comes around that we’ll look forward to. I believe it is three home games over that Christmas period, which is great. Hopefully it will give a nice bit of enjoyment in that period and good games to look forward to.

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS