Nigel Adkins explains absence of Charlton defender Ryan Inniss during pre-season draw at Palace

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Ryan Inniss will continue to be eased through pre-season in order to manage his workload ahead of the League One campaign, according to Charlton boss Nigel Adkins.

The centre-back missed this evening’s clash with his former club Crystal Palace despite playing his first minutes of the pre-season campaign at Reading on Saturday.

The 6ft 5 south-London born defender was absent for a large spell of last season with a quad problem and Adkins is keen to make sure he is managed carefully ahead of the season-opener with Sheffield Wednesday in 10 day’s time.

“[Inniss’ absence during the 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park was] totally planned,” explained Adkins.

“He had a good training session at the training ground this afternoon, I was there watching him. He looks really, really good. It’s planned what we’re doing with him. The objective is he’ll get 60 minutes at the weekend against Fulham. Another good training session and if it goes to plan then we’re in a good position for the start of the season.

“We’ve got excellent medical staff. Danny Murphy has done a great job in managing Ryan. Since the end of the season, we’ve had to be very sensible. He’d been out for a long, long injury. From our point-of-view we’re trying to everything to make sure he’s a big, big player for us this season.

“From our point-of-view, it’s when the league games start can we get as many games out of him as possible. He’s in great nick at this moment in time but we have to make sure we get the loading right as we progress through. It’s staged and managed for a reason. We’re looking forward to him having a good season for us.”

Inniss is one of a number of players who’ve missed parts of pre-season, and Adkins revealed that another former Palace man is also set to be involved at Craven Cottage this weekend.

Adkins added: “I watched Ben [Watson] work with Ryan Inniss today. With Ben, the objective is that he will get game time at the weekend.  We’re pleased with the way he’s progressing.

“Before the transfer window shuts I like to think we’ll have some more senior players with us but certainly the young players have done themselves the world of good. Steve Avory in the academy. There’s a pathway for the young players to come through and when you look at some of the performances, they’ve been excellent. You want to make sure that they’ve still got that opportunity to play but likewise, it does highlight that we need to get the strength of the squad right.

“A couple of players who’ve missed out today, Alex Gilbey and Ben Watson for example, Ryan Inniss and Ben Purrington, there’s four that have missed out today and add to the strength of the squad that we’ve got.

“Ronnie Schwartz is a bit short at the moment, he needs a bit more work. But at least he’s back at the training ground now and running around a bit.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS