Charlton boss Bowyer makes revelation over Chelsea loanee – as he reveals one starter for MK fixture

Ian Maatsen will not feature at Milton Keynes tomorrow – with Charlton chief Lee Bowyer revealing the Chelsea loanee would have come out of his side even if he had not picked up a knock at the weekend.

The Dutch defender had to be replaced in the 72nd minute by Jason Pearce after receiving treatment.

But Addicks manager Bowyer says his plan was always to start Ben Purrington in midweek.

“He [Maatsen] wasn’t going to play at MK anyway. The last couple of games he has looked really tired. He is 18 years old and has done exceptionally well.

“He has played near enough every minute of every game. I would say that has caught up with him a little bit – he’s not looked himself. Then he got that knock at the weekend. But I said to Ben on Friday: ‘Get yourself ready for Tuesday because you will play’. That was always the plan, just to give Ian some sort of rest.

“He is a young lad and needs that break because he has played a lot of games.

“We don’t think it is anything serious with the knock. He was running on empty.”

Purrington has made 15 appearances in League One this season – but only seven of those have been starts.

His only action since late December has been as an 89th-minute substitute in the 2-0 loss to Accrington.

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