Charlton Athletic boss Jones wants to cut squad size – starting in summer transfer window

Charlton manager Nathan Jones says he will be looking to cut the size of his squad in the summer.

The Addicks have used 46 players in all competitions this season with 24 debutants.

Jones was asked in his pre-Portsmouth press conference today about some players that fans expect to start not being so involved in recent matches.

“We pick a side to win a game and you won’t just pick the same 11 week in and week out – and find out a lot about the players, what I can demand from them and how I can play with certain players,” said the Welshman.

“It’s a big squad – it’s too big. We’ll cut it down in the coming months and moving forward. What we want to do is streamline and have a really competitive squad. At the minute it is slightly too big, in terms of numbers.

“In terms of me finding out about everyone, that’s one of the first things and then tactically we have to put a side out there that can perform and play.

“Some people are coming back from injury and can’t play as much. I pick a team on as much information as I can. I don’t rotate and tinker – if I can play with 11 players, make the same substitutions and win every game then brilliant. But that don’t happen.”

January signing Kayne Ramsay is not set for a swift return from the hamstring injury he suffered in the 1-1 draw against Lincoln City.

“Kayne is going to be a little longer,” said Jones. “It is a hamstring tendon issue which could be any timescale – so I wouldn’t put a timescale on it. It’s going to keep him out of the forseeable future, in terms of our next three or four games.

“Tyreeq (Bakinson) was ill (for Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Bolton), so we cleared him out of the place – regardless of whether he was recovered completely or not because it could happen with others, so we took precautions with that.

“Panutche (Camara) picked up a knock in training on Thursday. He travelled with us and played some part in the game but medically it was probably a risk to start him.

“They are in better positions than they were a week ago and everyone is gathering that bit of momentum we’re demanding from them in different ways.”