Charlton boss not factoring striker’s injury return in plans for the season

Charlton manager Michael Appleton is taking a cautious approach to determining Miles Leaburn’s return date, deliberately excluding the striker’s comeback from his season plans. Leaburn, the 20-year-old player, recently underwent successful hamstring surgery, ruling him out for the next five months as announced last Saturday. This setback occurred during the team’s 2-1 victory against Cheltenham, where Leaburn had contributed to 10 goals in 18 games this season, attracting attention from Chelsea and Brentford before the upcoming January transfer window.

Expressing concern for Leaburn’s young age, Appleton emphasized the potential maturity gained through dealing with such adversity. While acknowledging the anticipated five-month recovery period, Appleton emphasized the unpredictable nature of muscular injuries, stating that he would rather err on the side of caution. He acknowledged the possibility of a quicker recovery but stressed that any appearance by Leaburn before the end of the season would be considered a bonus, not an expectation.

Appleton’s primary focus is on ensuring Leaburn’s readiness for a robust start to the next season, suggesting that if the striker is back at the beginning of pre-season, it would be acceptable. He emphasized the importance of Leaburn prioritizing his future years and making a strong comeback for the seasons ahead.