Charlton Athletic winger Charlie Kirk set to get game time in EFL Trophy tie against Aston Villa

Charlie Kirk is set to feature for Charlton Athletic against Aston Villa U21s in the EFL Trophy tomorrow.

The winger has not featured at first-team level for the Addicks since the first match in the same competition, away to Crawley Town, on September 5.

Kirk was a £500,000 signing from Crewe in August 2021 but has struggled to hold down a regular starting spot under a succession of bosses at Charlton.

He spent the end of the 2021-22 campaign on loan at Blackpool – the Seasiders not activating an option to make the deal permanent – and he spent the final months of last season with Burton Albion.

Kirk has made just 19 League One starts for the South Londoners with another 13 appearances coming as a substitute.

He is contracted to Charlton until 2025.

Asked if the 25-year-old needs to do more to be in his plans, Addicks head coach Appleton told the South London Press: “I think he does and I think he’d be the first to admit that. But all I would say is that since I’ve been here he has had a couple of illnesses actually – two different illness spells where he hasn’t trained or even been in, for two or three days at a time.

“To be fair to him, he has been a little bit under the weather for the last two to three weeks. He has trained the last four or five training sessions we’ve had and he’ll be involved tomorrow. You will definitely see him at some point tomorrow.

“I’m aware of Charlie from his time at Crewe, especially. I came up against him many times. It’s down to him and I’m sure we’ll give him the platform and opportunity to try and impress, hopefully he’ll do that.

“He is one of those who can play three or four positions. Not necessarily as a nine, the central striker, but either side off the flanks and maybe as a 10 at times. He definitely gives us options and versatility.”

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS