Garner: "We go there full of confidence"

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Ben Garner says his Charlton side will travel to Sheffield Wednesday full of confidence and optimism.

The Addicks make the trip to Hillsborough on the back of successive Valley victories, having followed up last weekend's 1-0 triumph over Derby County with a dramatic Carabao Cup penalty shootout victory against Championship side Queens Park Rangers in midweek.

"All things considering, obviously it's a good start for us," said the Manager. "It's quite a new group in terms of the people that we've brought together and a lot of work has gone in to pre-season in terms of how we're going to play and how we want to be seen as a side. To get the return that we've got in the first three games is pleasing but we want to build on that now.

"Every game is difficult in this division and every game poses its own challenges, whether you're home or away. Anyone is capable of beating anyone in this division. Sheffield Wednesday is obviously a huge football club in this division like Derby, but like I said last week so are we. It's a great, great stadium and they will have a good following there, but we need to go with the mindset to win the game and play in a way that I think can help us do that. 

"I've got a lot of time for their Manager Darren Moore, who is a great guy. He's got Jamie Smith with him who I know well. They've done a really good job there. They went close last season, they've recruited well and have taken players that were promoted with Rotherham last season who know the league well. They have definitely strengthened on the back of last season. As I say we go there full of respect but also full of confidence and optimism that we can go there and get a positive result."

The Manager confirmed new recruit Jesurun Rak-Sakyi will travel with the squad to Hillsborough, while revealing his year-long pursuit of the 19-year-old forward.

"He is available," said Garner. "He will travel with us and then we will make a decision. He will obviously have only one sort of prep session if you like today, but we will see how he is. He will travel with the squad and then we will make a decision on whether he features in the matchday squad. If he doesn't, he has still travelled and got to know everyone. 

"We're training on Sunday and Monday in preparation for Tuesday and he will definitely be involved on Tuesday night. 

"He's a great addition for us," added the boss. "He's a really exciting player who I've actually been trying to sign for a year. I tried last summer but he wasn't available, and I tried in January but he wasn't unavailable. I'm really, really pleased, with the amount of demand for him in this window, that we've convinced him to come here and I'm thankful to him, his family, his agents and Crystal Palace for allowing us to do that."


Meanwhile, Garner provided an update on the fitness of Addicks trio Conor McGrandles, Chuks Aneke and Mandela Egbo.

"Conor has ticked every box across the week. He's back in full training today with no problems so he will be available for tomorrow.

"Chuks is progressing well. He's really in the final stages of that rehab now and we just need to make a decision on when we put him back into the firing line. I'm really pleased with his progress and what he's done.

"Mandela ran for the first time yesterday on the anti-gravity treadmill, the AlterG, which was great. On that front we're looking good. Everyone is progressing well and we're getting that healthy competition that we want."

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