Charlton to be without Karlan Grant for visit of Wimbledon

Posted Thursday, December 13, 2018 by PA

Charlton expect to be without Karlan Grant for Saturday’s Sky Bet League One match against AFC Wimbledon.

Forward Grant was forced off during the first half of the midweek win at leaders Portsmouth because of a hamstring injury, but striker Lyle Taylor (foot) should be in contention.

Midfielder Mark Marshall (rib/hip) will be assessed, along with defender Krystian Bielik, who suffered a blow to his face against Pompey.

On-loan Nottingham Forest winger James Ward, who had recently returned to action after a dead leg, missed out again on Tuesday night, while midfielder Darren Pratley (knee), Jake Forster-Caskey, Josh Cullen, Igor Vetokele and defender Lewis Page are all still sidelined.

New AFC Wimbledon manager Wally Downes is set for his first home game in charge, but will be missing forward Joe Pigott because of a thigh strain sustained in the pre-match warm-up at Rochdale last weekend.

Captain Deji Oshilaja is set to have his protective boot on an ankle injury removed as the defender steps up his recovery to return to training next week.

Forward James Hanson and midfielder Liam Trotter both face fitness tests following illness, while forward Kwesi Appiah (hamstring) continues his rehabilitation.

Striker Egli Kaja has returned from a loan spell in Scotland with Livingston, but will not be available again for the Dons until January.