Charlton Athletic boss: Brighton loan midfielder will get game time
Beram Kayal will get his first-team chances at Charlton Athletic – with manager Lee Bowyer insisting rotation is necessary during their heavier fixture schedules.
The Addicks are second in the Championship table and the battle for a starting spot is fierce.
That especially applies in central midfield where Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher has been outstanding, Jonny Williams has racked up the assists and Josh Cullen is in top form since returning from West Ham for a second loan spell.
That still leaves Darren Pratley, Sam Field, Erhun Oztumer and Kayal scrapping for spots too.
The latter had a slight injury when he completed a loan move to Charlton but was selected by Israel for European Championship qualifiers. Both he and Tomer Hemed came on in last Thursday’s 1-1 draw against North Macedonia. Another qualifier was due to take place last night in Slovenia.
Asked about fitting Kayal into his in-form side, Bowyer said: “Certain games will suit certain players.
“Sam Field stepped in [last time out against Reading] but Pratley had done nothing wrong – he’s been excellent.
“I just felt for that game it would be better for us if Sam played there. There are going to be occasions when it is the same for Kayal, once we get him back fit.
“The international break will be good for him because he will be involved in a couple of games and also get two weeks of training in as well. Hopefully when he comes back he is a lot fitter.
“He is a good player who has good experience. We are going to need that at times, just like Pratley has been excellent with his experience. Kayal is going to be the same. I’m going to have to rotate the midfield when we play Wednesday-Saturday games because as we saw in the Brentford match it is impossible for them to get through the whole of both games.”
Alfie Doughty has joined Bromley on loan until October 5.
The 19-year-old made his first start for the Addicks in last month’s League Cup first round tie against Forest Green Rovers.
Bromley manager Neil Smith said: “We’ve seen a fair bit of him last season and this season too.
“He’s a young lad with a lot of pace and a direct style of play. He can play anywhere along the left hand side and comes with high praise from Reeco [Hackett-Fairchild] and other ex-Charlton players we’ve had here.”
PICTURE BY PAUL EDWARDS