Charlton Athletic boss won’t be having a summer holiday – strengthening squad is the only priority

Nigel Adkins will not be taking a holiday break this summer as he looks to build a Charlton Athletic squad that can challenge for League One promotion.

The 56-year-old was appointed Addicks manager in mid-March and the transfer window is his first chance to bring his own players in.

“We know the importance of this season,” said Adkins on Wednesday.

“I’ve been at the training ground this morning and had a chat with Jake Forster-Caskey, who is recovering from his ACL injury. It’s good to touch base and see how he is getting on.

“I spoke to Paul [Geary] the groundsman, just to see how the pitches were getting on.

“I’ve been in with Ged [Roddy, technical director] and Ruben, from a recruitment point of view, it’s just trying to make sure I’ve got my finger on the pulse of everything that is going on.

“I want to be here and drive us on, as much as I can.

“I’m very conscious I need to get my recovery right because it is going to be a long season. It’s going to be very demanding, but I love what I do and I feel very privileged.

“The important thing is to have a squad of players to hit the ground running at the start of the season.”

Forster-Caskey, 27, was voted Charlton’s Player of the Year but suffered a serious knee injury against Lincoln City at the start of May.

The former Brighton, Rotherham and MK midfielder has been offered a new deal, with his current terms expiring on July 1.

“You have to set little goals,” said Adkins. “The end goal is that Jake is going to return to playing for us, but in the meantime he has got to break it down into small steps.

“He’s probably ticked off the first two weeks of his rehab after the operation. Now he has got the next phase.

“As I know from being a physiotherapist for many years, and having injuries myself as a player, it can be quite an emotional journey.

“You’ve got to keep your spirits up. He has got a wonderful partner, who will be helping him all the time along with his family, and we’ve got excellent medical care here.

“We’ve got a good programme set out for him. We’ve got to help him get through it.

“We have to go through the processes and do the basics to an elite level. The one thing is that he is going to be back. We’re not going to put a time frame on it.

“He is in good physical condition still and working hard to make sure he gets his leg right.”

Conor Washington was also in doing laps of the Sparrows Lane pitch midweek.

“All the players have started doing their off-season programme,” said Adkins.

“We’re back in for pre-season in three weeks, sometimes it is more convenient to be in at the training ground.

“Conor is another excellent professional we have got at this football club.”