Josh Stephenson previews Brentford Under-21s' clash with Charlton | OneFootball

Brentford Under-21s return to league action and begin the new year with a tough fixture against table-toppers Charlton Athletic.

The game will take place on Tuesday 7 January (1pm kick-off) at Wheatsheaf Park.

Young Bees defender Josh Stephenson has been very happy with how he has settled into life at Brentford B - and he feels like he and his team-mates can continue their fine form as they take on the Addicks at home.

"The lads have been so consistent," he said. "They have made it so easy for me to fit in and play with confidence.

"I did not think I would have settled in this quickly, if I'm honest, and I just want to thank my coaches and my teammates for their support."

Since joining the club, Stephenson has been a regular feature for Neil MacFarlane's side: "I have already played centre-back and left-back since I have been in the side and that variety, in the long term, will help me to become a better player.

"It is also always good to have great chemistry with your team-mates; we are all on the same page and on the same wavelength.

"I want to continue pushing and improving - that is the only way I can progress to being the player that I want to be."

"Charlton will be a tough test, but these are the sorts of games that we want to be involved in consistently as this will push us.”

Last time out

Brentford were 3-0 winners in their last game of 2024, as they comfortably beat Bournemouth at Wheatsheaf Park. An Ashley Hay brace either side of a Ben Krauhaus goal gave the young Bees the victory.

The west Londoners will be looking to extend their unbeaten run of form, with their last league defeat being in September against Cardiff City, which sees them sit just two points behind Charlton.

About Charlton Athletic Under-21s

Charlton U21s have 31 points from 16 games this season, winning nine, drawing four and losing three games. The Addicks have played two games more than Brentford, who sit in second place.

Match coverage

The club will have updates of the match against Charlton Athletic on social media, as well as a match report and highlights on brentfordfc.com and the official Brentford app.