Karl R‎obinson tried to keep his players’ week as normal as possible by arranging a game at The Valley on Saturday.

The Reds beat the Blues 3-1 in the 60 minute squad game. ‎ Anfernee Dijksteel, Karlan Ahearne-Grant and Reeco Hackett-Fairchild scored for the Reds, with Joe Dodoo netting for the Blues.

The game marked the return to action of Lewis Page after a long absence, and it is believed one or two trialists might have been involved.
Some of the returning players – such as Page – will play again on Monday, when Jason Euell’s Under-23 side entertain Watford at Greenwich Borough’s ground.

Robinson was pleased with the workout as he explained to the club site:

‎”They’ve been off earlier in the week but everything we do is to periodise the week to play on a Saturday. This is our game day, we should be ready to go.

“We’ve worked hard over the last couple of days and today’s the pinnacle where we’ve played 60 minutes and most of our players have covered over 8km and most of the players high intensity metres per minute is up there with what we’d ask them to do on a Saturday.

“Once they’ve finished off with a bit of running now we’d almost be what we’d complete over 80-85 minutes on a Saturday afternoon.

“The players’ mentality has been excellent and these are the finer details from a physicality perspective and a mental perspective going into the game next week.

‎”They understand that at this football club when you play you work hard, when you train you work hard, when you walk in and put our training kit on you work hard and we’ll give you the rest and treat you like a human being and do everything you need to make you physically ready.

“When you wear our shirt and training kit you have to conduct yourself to the best of your ability.‎”

‎It was good to see Page back on the field after a seven month absence. The young left-back has had a frustrating time since arriving at The Valley in January and will be hoping his fortunes will now change.

Robinson gave this assessment of his performance:

‎”He didn’t push himself and was told to stay within himself and I think he could have done more, but he’s still in that recovery mode. He’s still getting himself up to a level. He’ll play again on Monday which is great for him,” and the manager added these comments about recently recovered duo, Mark Marshall and Ben Reeves,

“Marshy completed the full 60 and the runs now. Reevesy completed 50 and that was exactly what we asked for.

“He was actually still the highest distance covered with 8.7km which is quite remarkable in a short period of time. All of the things that players had to hit today they’ve hit.”

‎The scheduled Peterborough game was shelved due to Jay Dasilva, Ezri Konsa and Josh Magennis being away on international duty.

Robinson explained that all three had reasons to be cheerful. Magennis’ late consolation goal for Northern Ireland against Germany will figure prominently in the highlights of his career:

“Our injured players are getting fitter. Our internationals have had a great time‎, with England U-20s winning 5-1 in Italy this week.

“The result wasn’t great for Josh but we’re so proud of him, scoring a goal against the World Champions is something that he’ll never forget.

“That’s three in three he’s got for the international team, he’s got goals for us, we’ve certainly got a striker that’s in-form and we’ve got players behind our striker that are starting to hit form.

“Tariqe (Fosu) getting a hat-trick and Ricky (Holmes) getting Player of the Month, our players are really firing.‎

“Kashi and Jake starting to build a bigger relationship, our players who have been out injured, Nabby coming in and Ez coming in making a big difference to us and Solls will be back fit as well so we add him to the occasion, so we’re in a good place.”

‎Robinson’s words appeared to indicate that Chris Solly would be available for the Doncaster game on Saturday.

Konsa was impressive as his deputy at Fleetwood, and the versatile youngster will put increasing pressure on the dual Player Of The Year for his place.

‎Page was naturally delighted to be playing again, and added these words about his performance:

“It was great, I walked out here with a smile on my face. The last seven months have been horrible.

“It was great to be out there today, running full pelt, and I felt that I did OK, and it was just nice to back out there with the boys.

“I was originally supposed to do 30 minutes but ended up doing 40 in the end so that was a positive.

“I’m playing again on Monday for the U-23s so it will be good to be out there again and get another 45 minutes. Then maybe the week after do a 75-90 minutes and then I’ll hopefully be back in the mix.

“I haven’t played too many games since I came here so it’s been a hard time. I just hope I can come back, prove myself and be even better than I was before.”