‘Go out swinging’ – Charlton’s tag as only London club left in EFL Cup under big threat as Brighton test awaits

Anthony Hayes wants his Charlton Athletic side to “go out swinging” if their EFL Cup journey is to end at the hands of Brighton on Wednesday night.

The Addicks are the only London club left in the competition but will be big underdogs in midweek.

Charlton have taken just two points from the last 18 available in League One and are 18th in the table.

Brighton, by contrast, are seventh in the Premier League although Roberto De Zerbi’s side have not played since November due to the break for the World Cup in Qatar.

“I watched the Arsenal game live, their last Carabao Cup game,” said Hayes, in caretaker managerial charge since Ben Garner was sacked. “They are a great side to watch. There is lots to admire about how they play and they have got lots of wonderful players.

“They are very, very well coached. Their new coach has stamped his own identity on the team very, very quickly after the wonderful job that Graham Potter did.

“These are great games. Let’s not beat around the bush here, we have got a Premier League side coming to The Valley and nothing to lose. We have to go out swinging.”

While Alex Mac Allister will not be available to the Seagulls after his heroics for Argentina at the World Cup, the Addicks could come up against their former youngster Jeremy Sarmiento.

He featured for Ecuador in Qatar but they failed to make it out of Group A.

“Jeremy was here for a long time,” said Hayes. “I had the pleasure of working with him for two season – great kid, great family – and we were obviously disappointed to lose him at the end of his U16 season.

“He travelled to Benfica, ended up at Brighton and is a full Ecuadorian international. He’s played at the World Cup – what more could I say about the young boy? It’s great to see from a distance how his young career is developing.”

Striker Miles Leaburn made his return from an ankle injury in Saturday’s reverse to the Gas.

Centre-back Terell Thomas (hamstring) could boost their numbers along with keeper Craig MacGillivray and winger Diallang Jaiyesimi, who were both sidelined with viruses at the weekend.

“Terell will train today,” said Hayes. “It will be his first full training session with the group, so we’ll have to see how Terell comes through Monday and Tuesday before looking at the squad for Brighton.

“In terms of the other long-termers, none of them will be back.

“Craig MacGillivray, who missed the weekend through illness, and DJ, who missed the game through illness, they will both train with the group and obviously give us some additional options.”

PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS