Popular former Portsmouth keeper Craig MacGillivray 'recovering at home' after bad concussion that prevents him staking fresh claim for first-choice Charlton role

After stepping in to deputise for the injured Joe Wollacott at Burton Albion last weekend, the 29-year-old suffered a kick to the head during the Pirelli Stadium game that saw him taken to hospital afterwards with delayed concussion.

According to Addicks boss Ben Garner, the 29-year-old took a ‘turn for the worse’ in the dressing room following the final whistle.

He is now recovering at home following the ‘bad concussion’ that induced ‘memory loss’ and won’t be selected for their game against Port Vale tomorrow – and possibly Tuesday night’s trip to Plymouth in the Papa John’s Trophy.

Instead, Ashley Maynard-Brewer will be handed a starting place following his return from a loan spell at Gillingham.

He was recalled from his temporary spell at Priestfield – as was Nathan Harness from a similar arrangement at Bromley – following Wollacott and now MacGillivray’s unavailability.

First-choice Wollacott suffered a broken bone in his finger in the pre-match warm-up at Burton.

He has since undergone surgery, with the injury possibly keeping him out until January. The Ghana international will also miss the World Cup.

That handed MacGillivray the opportunity to stake a claim for the No1 jersey, having played second fiddle to the former Swindon keeper to date this season.

But he’ll be denied the immediate chance to do that and add to his three appearances so far this term due to his recovery.

Speaking ahead of Charlton’s trip to Vale Park, Garner said: ‘Craig played ever so well on Saturday, he did great, but he actually suffered delayed concussion.

‘He was fine when he took the collision in the game, he was fine at half-time and fine in the second half.

‘Unfortunately he took a turn for the worse in the dressing room after the game and had to go to hospital at Burton.

‘It was a bad concussion. He’s at home recovering. He certainly won’t be available for tomorrow.

‘Our priority is Craig’s health and well-being. We’ll ease him back in to football at the right time.

‘It’s just a daily assessment. It is a head injury, heavy impact and he suffered some memory loss.’

MacGillivray has made 48 Charlton appearances since moving to The Valley on a free transfer in the summer of 2021.

He was allowed to leave the Blues after being named the 2020-21 News/Sports Mail Pompey player of the season.

The Scot featured 135 times during his three-year stay at Fratton Park.