The Rob Apter situation at Charlton Athletic that Nathan Jones cannot ignore | OneFootball

The Charlton boss may have a decision to make regarding one of his summer signings in January.

Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones may have a decision to make regarding Rob Apter in January if the winger does not feature more regularly after the international break.

The Addicks signed Apter from Blackpool in a deal worth more than £2 million during the summer transfer window, and it looked to be a really shrewd acquisition given that he made 16 goal contributions for the Tangerines last season and has plenty of room for improvement as a 22-year-old.

Steve Bruce, who was in charge at Bloomfield Road at the time of Apter's departure, made it clear that Blackpool did not want to lose the former Scotland youth international, as per the Gazette.

"None of us wanted to sell Rob," Bruce said.

"Once it gets to a certain level of money, not just for the club, but for Rob himself personally, with the lure of the Championship - the kid knocked my door down every other day.

"It's understandable. He became a little bit emotional in the end.

"It's a short career, and when you're quadrupling your money, you're going to have your head turned. Also, the Championship is where he wanted to be."

There were a few question marks over whether Apter would be comfortable operating in the right wing-back role vacated by Thierry Small following his summer move to Preston North End, but Apter took to life in SE7 like a duck to water.

He started each of the Addicks' first five league games of the season, scored his first goal for the club against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road, and was named Charlton's Player of the Month for August after earning 39% of the supporters' votes.

However, since Charlton's draw with Millwall in September, Apter has only started once in the Championship and been an unused substitute on nine occasions, meaning that Jones could have a decision to make if he is not given more minutes before January.

James Bree arrival did not benefit Rob Apter

Charlton signed James Bree on loan from Southampton on deadline day, and his arrival has not benefitted Rob Apter, who has been forced to watch on from the sidelines for the majority of the time since the 27-year-old joined the club.

Bree is a player who Jones has worked with previously at Luton Town and Southampton, and his defensive capabilities make him a more solid option at right wing-back compared to Apter, with the 22-year-old undoubtedly being most effective going forward.

Much like Apter did in August, Bree hit the ground running in a Charlton shirt, and he was nominated for the Championship Player of the Month Award for October.

The right-wing back is clearly trusted by Jones, and his ability to deliver dangerous set pieces is a key reason as to why he has been on the pitch for so much longer than Apter since his arrival, with that area of the game being hugely important for the Addicks.

Bree assisted Tanto Olaofe's late winner away at Sheffield United in open play, but his set pieces have led to Macauley Gillesphey scoring against Blackburn Rovers, Reece Burke scoring against Sheffield Wednesday, and Luke Berry equalising in injury time away at Hull City, so his deliveries have certainly paid off on a few occasions.

He scored during the win against Blackburn, while his stunning finish during Charlton's draw away at Derby County was shortlisted for the division's Goal of the Month award, so there is no denying he has contributed in the final third as well as providing more defensive solidity than Apter.

It will be interesting to see if Apter can force his way back into Jones' thinking after the international break, or whether he will need to wait until January to find out if his game time looks set to increase.

January could be decisive for Rob Apter

Apter has only made one appearance in the Championship since the middle of September, and he looked visibly frustrated when he was substituted for Bree after 54 minutes of that game away against Hull.

Jones even admitted that Bree was not fully fit during the Addicks' most recent game away at Wrexham, yet Apter was still left on the bench for the duration of that 1-0 defeat in Wales, even though Bree's injury prevented him from taking set-pieces on the day.

Bree's loan is set to expire in January, which could mean Apter will get the opportunity to return to the side and hold down a place in the starting eleven during the second half of the season.

However, Charlton defender Kayne Ramsay has already discussed the prospect of Bree extending his stay in South East London, as per Rich Cawley via Substack.

"Breezer feels like one of us - it would be lovely if he could potentially stay on," Ramsay said.

"I'm genuinely not sure but I keep telling him: 'I'll see you February 1!'"

If Apter continues to receive the kind of game time he has been recently, it would be no surprise if he wanted to go out on loan in January, especially if Bree extends his stay at The Valley, so Jones may have a dilemma on his hands if things continue to go the way they have been after the international break.