League One Charlton Athletic are preparing for a battle to keep hold of Lloyd Jones, as interest from title challengers Wycombe Wanderers hots up if Joe Low is sold to Championship side Preston North End.
Preston are reportedly attempting to sign Welsh centre-half Low from Wycombe Wanderers this January transfer window, which has prompted the Chairboys to source a replacement.
They have identified Charlton Athletic’s Lloyd Jones as their target and are actively trying to secure his signature according to reports from Alan Nixon (paywall).
The 29-year-old has played a key role in Nathan Jones’ side this season appearing 17 times in the league, starting 16 despite missing a chunk of the season through October and November.
He has an extensive EFL CV having played at, Cambridge United, Northampton Town, Luton Town, Plymouth Argyle, Swindon Town, Blackpool, Accrington Stanley, Cheltenham Town as well as Liverpool’s youth set-up. He boasts 181 League One appearances in his career and has played for both England and Wales at youth level.
Charlton Athletic’s false dawn
Going into this season, several pundits, including our own League One Lowdown podcast, had the Addicks as potential promotion contenders. They were entering their first full season with Jones at the helm and had seemingly solved several of the club’s previous issues. However, their start to the season echoed much of what went wrong last season and despite a recent upturn in form, they still find themselves 7 points away from the play-off places.
If Charlton can take this form, and utilise the January transfer market to their advantage, they could be one of the first half of the season strugglers that moves up, alongside Leyton Orient to battle those who are starting to falter such as Stockport County.
Wycombe Wanderer’s Wonder Winter
Wycombe on the other hand have managed to keep pace with Birmingham City and Wrexham, upturning the pre-season predictions to place themselves as title contenders. Birmingham are ahead, and will likely remain ahead, but it is unlikely many in the Blue corner of the league had the Chairboys as one of their biggest contenders this year.
The challenge comes with this transfer window. As with any club with a lower-than-average budget, who punch above their weight, their players have begun to attract firm interest from the league above. As sides look to take advantage and poach players who are on an upwards trajectory.