MIKEL Alonso looks to be heading out of The Valley after manager Chris Powell admitted he is nowhere near first team selection at the moment.

The 31-year-old Spanish midfielder has made just one appearance for the Addicks since his arrival in the summer and that came almost four months ago in the 3-0 JPT home defeat to Brentford on October 5.

Alonso’s time in SE7 has been overshadowed by a series of injury problems but despite being back to full fitness, he didn’t even feature as a substitute in Tuesday’s Kent Cup win at Margate and Powell hinted a loan move is on the cards.

“We’ve got a long list of midfielders and there’s plenty in front of him,” the Valley boss said.

“He is fit now, which is good for him because he hasn’t been for a while and it has been really stop-start.

“Of course we are taking that day by day with regards to if anything happens with him going out on loan or staying but like everyone else he wants to play.

“Mikel needs to play because it has been a tough introduction to life here because of injuries and the form of other players that he can’t get in.

“Now he is in a good place fitness wise but I would like him to get some games.”

Powell added: “We will have to wait and see how that pans out if anyone comes in to let him go out on loan or if things change here with regards to the number of players we’ve got in that position.

“We’ve got five centre midfielders in front of Mikel at the moment and they’ve all played.

“Danny Hollands, Bradley Pritchard, Dale Stephens, Darel Russell and Andy Hughes have all played a real prominent part, so there are a number in front of him and it’s going to be quite difficult for him.

“Mikel is playing well, he is a very likeable guy and has fitted in really well but football is football and you need to play.”

And with transfer deadline day fast approaching, Powell revealed Alonso may not be the only one heading out either before Tuesday or when the emergency loan window opens again the following week.

When asked if fans could expect anyone coming in Powell replied: “I think it is more a case of one or two going out.

“A lot of clubs will be waiting until after the fixtures on Saturday depending on how they go and then they’ll look at other teams’ squads.

“If they see one or two omissions then they pick up the phone but it has been very quiet this month really, not only for us but for most clubs with the financial situation.

“I’m not planning on doing anything but things can change fairly quickly with us if someone is available of quality who will add to what we have here.

“The loan window is going to open soon anyway, so I couldn’t really answer what certain clubs would like to do.”

He added: “After next Tuesday there is a break of nine days until the emergency loan window reopens.

“At the moment I like the squad I have and we know how vital our 20-game run in is.

“That is a lot of games and we are just over halfway.

“I kind of like where my squad is at but I’m mindful that one or two players like to play on Saturdays and at the moment they’re not.

“You do have to look at them and making sure they’re keeping up to speed.

“It might be right for us to let one or two out so they come back at the end of February and they’re ready for us, but you have to weigh the pros and cons up of that and we will see what happens.”

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