‘It’s difficult’ – Charlton boss on battle for number one spot between Isted and Maynard-Brewer

Charlton boss Michael Appleton has explained the luxury of having two goalkeepers who are battling it out for the number one spot in his side.

Harry Isted has been the first choice under the former Blackpool boss since he replaced Dean Holden at The Valley.

Ex-Barnsley and Luton keeper Isted kept a clean sheet in Saturday’s goalless draw at Shrewsbury on Saturday, with his performance seeing him named in the League One Team of the Week.

Ashley Maynard-Brewer started the season as the starting keeper but lost his place in the side in Dean Holden’s final game in charge – a 2-1 defeat at Oxford United.

The 24-year-old also missed a period of training under Appleton after being called up to the Australian national team for their 2-2 friendly draw against Mexico.

“His attitude has been spot on,” said Appleton of the former Ross County loanee.

“He’s one of those players who probably thought: ‘Am I going to get my chance? When is my chance going to come?’

“It’s difficult because Harry played in the Fleetwood game [under caretaker boss Jason Pearce] and he trained really well in the first week.

“He earned the opportunity to play in the Stevenage game and he’s done really well since I have been in the building.

“But since he [Maynard-Brewer] has come back from international duty, he’s been spot on – he’s been great.

“I have seen what he’s very good at and I have an awareness and understanding of what he can be better at and what he will improve at.

“It’s nice to have a couple of goalkeepers who genuinely want that number one shirt.

“There is almost an understanding sometimes when someone is a number one and somewhere is a number two.

“But we have two goalkeepers who are more than capable of being number one.”

MAYNARD-BREWER PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD
ISTED PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS