Phillips to rotate team against Charlton

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Albion play their final Conti Cup group match on Wednesday evening, kick-off 7pm.

Charlie Hanson

2024-01-24T06:00:00Z

Melissa Phillips.

Melissa Phillips will rotate her squad tonight as Albion take on Charlton Athletic in their final group stage match of the Conti Cup.

Albion need a point to guarantee their place in the next stage as group winners, having already beaten West Ham and Birmingham City in Group E.

Top of the Championship Charlton will also be gunning for their place in the knockout phase, knowing a win could see them qualify, depending on West Ham's result against Birmingham.

“Charlton are a top of the table team right now, it should be a competitive match,” Phillips said. “I am sure they will have their eyes on the weekend with their big game against Crystal Palace, as will we against Chelsea.

“But everyone goes into it wanting to make it a competitive fixture and see some different partnerships across the pitch. I think the team has done really well during the first two Conti Cup matches, so the expectation will be the same on Wednesday.”

The women’s first team head coach knows Charlton will have a game plan to get the better of Albion.

“It will be about evading some of the traps that they set for us. They’re really good in wide areas, at pinning teams in and compacting.

“It will be about us being savvy in our combination play and make sure we don’t play into their hands. They are a really resilient, robust and hardworking side.”

Phillips will rotate her squad for Wednesday night’s game, with her team in action just 72 hours later when they face Chelsea in the WSL.

“We’re operating on a fairly thin squad at the moment so we will be rotating to keep everyone fresh, fit and healthy and to get minutes into people’s legs. We want to be refreshed and confident going into Saturday’s game.

“Jorelyn is back and available. It will be a good opportunity for her to come in and get a few minutes.

“There’s also some of our young players who were in the squad at the weekend and will be again for the cup match with the likes of Lily Dent and Grace McEwen, they’ve had a good impact. I am excited for them and the opportunity.”