Charlton Athletic handed defensive boost for Milton Keynes match – but striker will miss out

Akin Famewo is set to be back in Charlton’s squad for Wednesday night’s home game against Milton Keynes.

The on-loan Norwich City centre-back has been out with a hamstring injury since the end of October.

Famewo has missed the Addicks’ last four League One matches.

Club captain Jason Pearce is due to feature for the U23s today but Deji Oshilaja is being forced to self-isolate as he was in close contact with Dylan Levitt, who tested positive for Covid-19.

“Akin is back in the squad,” said Charlton manager Lee Bowyer. “He was training last week and he will naturally come back into the squad now.

“Pearcey will play today for the U23s. He needs to get minutes in and hopefully he comes through alright. He has been out a long time so he needs to try and get his minutes up.

“Deji has got to self-isolate because he was near Dylan. He’s got to stay away.”

Paul Smyth will not feature against MK as he needed five stitches in a cut above his left knee.

But Conor Washington should be back.

“He had a little bit of pain around his knee and it wasn’t from anything,” said Bowyer. “He said he can’t picture how he has done anything. It’s just a case of letting it settle down for a couple of days.

“We’ll see how he goes today. It wasn’t anything major – it’s not like it’s a muscle tear.

“I’m trying to look after the players as best I can. I’m trying to rotate as best I can. If someone has got a slight knock and can make it worse then I’ll leave them behind.

“I’m just trying to look at the bigger picture – we’ve still got over 30 games to go.”