Curtis Fleming’s defensive nous a help to Charlton Athletic head coach Michael Appleton

Michael Appleton has been encouraged by the rapport he has struck up with new Charlton Athletic assistant head coach Curtis Fleming.

The former Crystal Palace coach, who also played for the Eagles, joined Appleton’s backroom staff last week.

And the Addicks head coach has cited Fleming’s career as a right-back, which saw him capped by Republic of Ireland and play for Middlesbrough in the Premier League, as helping with some of their defensive structure.

Appleton told the South London Press: “He certainly brings experience. What I mean by that is not just from a coaching point of view but the level he played at.

“He can give a different insight, at times, to certain things that we try or that we want to do.

“Possibly with him being a defender….I like having a decent mix to my group. I am pretty attack-minded in my thoughts and process. Sometimes we overload what we do with the ball rather than without the ball.

“But, having said that, it is early doors and we’re getting to know each other better. Over time and as that relationship grows between him, me and Rich [O’Donnell] hopefully we will get the right outcomes.”

PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS