Charlton Athletic boss looks set to take youngster out of side for Portsmouth’s “physical” test

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Lee Bowyer is set to take Toby Stevenson out of his starting line-up for Charlton’s game at Portsmouth tomorrow.

The 19-year-old full-back made his first League One appearance in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Blackpool.

Charlton have first-choice left-back Lewis Page out with injury. Chris Solly and Naby Sarr have been used there in league matches with Stevenson gaining experience in the cup competitions – he scored a hat-trick on his senior Addicks debut in an EFL Trophy demolition of Stevenage Borough.

But boss Bowyer knows that a trip to Fratton Park to face the division pacesetters is a different proposition.

He said: “Toby didn’t do badly. He ain’t done any worse than anyone else who has played there.

“Pagey plays it differently. The lad did okay in his first proper game for us apart from the three or four cup ones he has had.

“But I don’t think I’ll be able to go with him [on Tuesday]. They are a big, physical side – they’ve only got two players under six foot. I think it could be a bit too much for him.”