Charlton boss assesses goalkeeper battle as Maynard-Brewer sidelined through groin injury

Will Mannion will return to the Charlton Athletic starting line-up on Saturday due to Ashley Mayard-Brewer picking up an injury in the 1-0 defeat at Birmingham last weekend.

Maynard-Brewer was brought off at half-time at St Andrew’s, with Jones confirming in his pre-Exeter press conference that the Australian had picked up a groin injury.

Former Wimbledon youngster Mannion started the season as number one after joining from Cambridge in the summer.

But Maynard-Brewer established himself as the first choice since Mannion suffered a thigh injury in November.

Mannion, 26, will start in the league for the first time since October.

Jones said: “You don’t necessarily have a number one – you need a goalkeeper department that’s really strong.

“We needed to improve it slightly, which we did. We’re constantly looking to improve every part of the squad.

“We have good competition. Ashley was probably unlucky not to start the season, but we brought Will in and he was excellent in pre-season.

“Neither one of them have deserved to be left out in any way – their performance levels have been very good. 

“We have kept good clean sheets and been very secure. We haven’t had any performances where the goalkeeper has been really at fault. 

“I understand people say the goalkeeper department is a specialist one where one knows they play and the other one supports, but I’m not a big believer in that.

“No one ever gifted me anything in my career – I had to work hard. Every club I was at brought in left-backs left, right and centre.

“It’s good to have two recognised ones because when one is out, you put the other one in and you have no fear.

“That’s the position we’re in.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD