Charlton striker prospect set to get more minutes in EFL Trophy tie at Leyton Orient
Teenage striker Mason Burstow looks set to get more game time in tomorrow’s EFL Trophy match at Leyton Orient with caretaker manager Johnnie Jackson poised to name a youthful side.
The two sides have already qualified for the next round of the tournament and the Addicks play at Burton Albion on Saturday.
There was no option for the League One fixture to be called off as only Conor Washington and Chris Gunter received call-ups by Northern Ireland and Wales.
“We’re through so obviously that becomes something to consider,” Jackson told the South London Press. “And we’re now playing a Saturday game that could’ve been off [if they had one more player on international duty]. That game being on changes my thoughts a little bit as well.
“It will be a young team overall but there will also be some senior lads who were involved at the weekend and will go again because we have to meet certain criteria anyway which means you are limited to the amount of changes you can make.
“This week the big priority is the Burton game. It is a great opportunity to get some young lads some exposure to senior football. The likes of Burstow and [Charles] Clayden were involved at the weekend and will, most likely, be involved again. Probably a few of the other lads doing well in the U23s will get an opportunity.”
Burstow has scored twice in 18 minutes of senior football. He finished off a chance in the 6-1 hammering of Crawley in the opening trophy match and then added the fourth goal in Saturday’s FA Cup win over Havant & Waterlooville.
“I really like Mason – he’s done brilliantly,” said Jackson. “He is a good kid, a good young player with bags of potential. I said to him before he came on that he would definitely get a chance because of the way the game was opening up.
“Once he got in the position, the boy can finish. I’m glad he took it on. Elliot [Lee] was inside screaming for it and I thought he might take that option. But he took it on himself, which is pleasing to see as a striker.”
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