Charlton test for Wells

Nahki Wells takes on shell-shocked Charlton Athletic tonight as Huddersfield Town look to atone for their deflating 2-0 defeat to Doncaster Rovers at the weekend.

The Addicks sacked manager Chris Powell yesterday following the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Sheffield United and swiftly replaced him with former Standard Liege boss Jose Riga.

Terriers manager Mark Robins admitted the turmoil at Charlton — owned by Roland Duchatelet, who also owns Standard — adds to the challenge but said it is was down to record-signing Wells and his other young players to prove their mettle.

“I felt for the 2,800 at Doncaster on Saturday because we let them down,” Robins told the club website. “So we have to try and put that right. As I’ve said in the past, the players didn’t go out on Saturday looking to play poorly or concede poor goals, that’s just a consequence of having one or two players out and youngsters in there. Those youngsters have to learn those lessons quickly, though.”

He added: “The players certainly haven’t ‘downed tools’ — they’re giving me everything they’ve got in every single game. 

“We need to be better and we will improve, there’s no two ways about it. As is always the case, the players are playing for their futures.” 

Robins said he felt for Powell but backed him to return. He said: “Unfortunately it seems that Chris has left... and I wish him all the best for the future; I’m sure he’ll be back.” n