Charlton Athletic trying to turn one of their six loan deals into permanent switch + boss Bowyer comments on winger transfer moves

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Charlton Athletic are pushing to turn one of their loans into a permanent deal – to make sure all their signings can feature on a matchday.

The Addicks have six temporary signings on their books after adding Arsenal midfielder Matt Smith, 20, on Monday.

And EFL rules state that only five loan players can be named in a matchday squad.

Charlton already had Liam Millar (Liverpool), Jayden Stockley (Preston North End), Ian Maatsen (Chelsea), Andrew Shinnie (Luton) and Akin Famewo (Norwich) in their ranks before snapping up Smith, who cut short his stay at fellow League One outfit Swindon.

Centre-back Famewo is close to a return from a quad injury but could get an U23 outing before being back in a matchday squad.

“We’re trying to turn one into a permanent,” said Addicks manager Lee Bowyer. “Because if they are all fit at the same time then someone has to miss out. And that’s not easy, because they are all good players and all bring us something a bit different.

“It will be difficult to leave one out. But we have got three youngsters in there who sometimes need a rest, and we do have the back-up to maybe be able to do that. We’ve got a couple of weeks of Saturday-Saturday but after that I’m sure it will be relentless again.

“Akin is just coming back now and we can’t rush that so that he ends up breaking down within a week or two. We’ll get it right.”

Scottish midfielder Shinnie is out of contract at the end of the season and looks unlikely to have a future at Kenilworth Road.

Stockley has impressed since arriving recently but is contracted to North End until the summer of 2022.

Left-back Maatsen is locked down at Chelsea until 2024 and looks the least easily obtainable out of any of the loanees.

Charlton could hand a debut to deadline day arrival Diallang Jaiyesimi at Rochdale tomorrow.

The Addicks triggered a release clause in the 22-year-old’s contract at Swindon Town.

The former Dulwich Hamlet youngster, whose family live in Peckham, cost a six-figure fee.

Bowyer reckons Jaiyesimi, who scored against his new club in the 2-2 draw at The Valley in December, can operate anywhere across the attacking areas of the pitch.

“I don’t think he has got a best position,” he said. “Against us he played up top in a two. He can play in the wide areas and as a number 10.

“He is someone who is going to be a bit unpredictable in possession.

“It was last-minute.com in terms of being close to the deadline. But the most important thing is we got him in. He is an asset on a long-term contract.

“We’ve got to develop and improve him, which I think we will. It’s what we do here. He seems a good lad.”

Charlton were unsuccessful in a move for Crewe winger Charlie Kirk. And Josh Morris had travelled to London so that he could sign – but Fleetwood were unable to bring in a replacement.

Bowyer said: “Every party has to be part of the deal [for Kirk]. There was a part that made it not go through.

“Josh was another we were interested in. I think Fleetwood had a deal go wrong and didn’t allow him to come out.

“He is a good player with a lovely left foot.

“He has good experience in this league and scores goals. It just didn’t happen.”