Charlton Athletic boss on why Jayden Stockley was benched against Forest Green Rovers

Ben Garner is refusing to take any risks with playing his two available strikers – and that was one of the reasons Miles Leaburn started instead of Jayden Stockley’s in Charlton’s 1-1 draw against Forest Green Rovers last night.

Leaburn, 18, was handed his first league start in one of six changes made by Addicks boss Garner from the 3-1 defeat at Bolton last time out.
Stockley came on for the final 18 minutes and had one strike parried away by Rovers keeper Luke McGee.

“Firstly Miles deserves an opportunity to play because he has done well,” said Garner. “Jayden didn’t train for a couple of days last week with a little bit of a tight groin. I was going to play Miles on Saturday and obviously the game was called off.

“I thought it was right to leave Miles in and give him the start tonight. At the moment we’ve only got Miles and Jayden fit, who I would class as centre-forwards. I do have to be a little bit careful, there is no point risking one of them if they are tight or feeling anything because I can’t afford to lose either of them long term.

“Jayden is fine. He’s trained from Thursday onwards and come on tonight and done fine. He’s no problem now, moving into the weekend.”

Garner did not provide a timescale on when Chuks Aneke will boost their frontline options. Aneke has not played a single minute this season since picking up a calf injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly in July.

“He’s getting there,” said the Charlton boss. “It’s still a little period of time with Chuks, but he is working hard and his attitude has been great. It will be a big positive when we get him back.”

Garner also handed full league debuts to Richard Chin and Jack Payne.

Sam Lavelle, Albie Morgan and Charles Clayden dropped to the bench.

“Not necessarily a shake up, it was a case of who did well in training and who we felt was right for the team – different reasons for different people,” said Garner.

“Good news, Scott Fraser became a father yesterday so we’re absolutely delighted for him and his family. He obviously wasn’t available tonight for that reason.

“It was the team I thought was right to start the game, for the easons tactically we set up, and that was the case. The way we started the game and the spaces we exploited was good.

“End of the first half, start of the second half, wasn’t as good. We had to change shape and after that we were in complete control of the game in the closing stages. It was just a case of whether we were going to get that goal.”

PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS