Charlton 2 Leeds United 1: Redfearn silence over ‘injured’ six

Redfearn was denied the services of Marco Silvestri, Mirco Antenucci, Giuseppe Bellusci, Souleymane Doukara, Dario del Fabro and Edgar Cani for this afternoon’s game at The Valley.

Silvestri’s absence with a back injury handed a league debut to number two keeper Stuart Taylor, who made his first league start in almost two years.

Leeds looked on course for a first victory in five matches after Steve Morison’s first goal in over two years for United put them 1-0 up on forty minutes.

The centre-forward’s strike came three minutes after Billy Sharp saw a penalty saved by Stephen Henderson.

Charlton levelled 75 minutes from time through a volley from Tony Watt and claimed the spoils five minutes later from the spot when Yoni Buyens netted after keeper Taylor was penalised for bringing down Igor Ventokele.

On a fifth successive loss for United, Redfearn said: “We only did half a job at half-time and we had to be more thorough.

“There’s a lot of things going off, which aren’t helping obviously. But we have got to be more focused especially in the second half of a game when we are 1-0 up and in the driving seat.”

On Morison’s goal, he added: “It was a great strike and I am pleased for Steve. He needed his goal and it was a great strike and I thought he led the line well.

“We probably looked better with two up there.”

Regarding the absence of half a dozen of United’s Italian contingent, Redfearn said that he did not wish to comment, instead wishing to talk about the players who were involved at Charlton.

On the injured players, he said: “They just went down injured. A couple had niggles on Thursday obviously. Marco with his back and two or three lads went down yesterday (Friday) and if lads are injured, they are injured. I cannot do anything about that.

“I can only pick lads who are fit. We had to shuffle things about. It was not ideal at all to lose so many.

“But the lads rallied around (who played).

“These injuries happened quick. Three of them dropped out of training on Friday and obviously, we had to get on the bus and set off and they are back at Thorp Arch.

“I don’t know too much detail. Souleymaone Doukara’s is a groin injury, Bellusci’s is a hamstring/thigh and Antenucci’s is a hip flexor.

“We’ll have to see.

“To be honest, I cannot really comment (anymore). That is for the club to comment on. Hopefully if we can get them fit and back, we can consider them.

“I thought the lads played well for large spells and I’d rather talk about the lads who turned out.”