Saints manager Russell Martin has expressed his support for young midfielder Shea Charles after his recent red card for Northern Ireland. The 19-year-old received two yellow cards during his national team’s 1-0 loss to Slovenia this past week.
Charles has been making a positive impression both at the club and international levels this season, showcasing his versatility by playing in defense and midfield. Despite his red card, Martin is not inclined to curb Charles’s aggressive style of play and emphasizes the importance of the former Manchester City player within the squad.
Regarding the incident, Martin stated, “I haven’t had a chance to speak with him yet as he hasn’t returned. I tend to give them space when they are on international duty since we have plenty of communication when they are with us. I’ll have a conversation with him this morning. I observed the incident, but I don’t believe it’s something we should remove from his game. Shea is a fierce competitor who wants to win; his aggression and ability to disrupt play are valuable traits.”
Despite Charles’s recent absence from the starting lineup, Martin has been encouraged by his impact when coming off the bench. He mentioned, “I understand that Flynn Downes has been starting ahead of him lately, but when Shea has entered the game as a substitute, he has made a significant positive impact. We have strong competition in the midfield, with players capable of filling multiple roles. Our challenge is to find the right balance for different matches. It’s great to have everyone back for training today and prepare for an important upcoming week.”