Lee Bowyer reveals Charlton midfielder Anfernee Dijksteel is suffering from pneumonia

Photo by Ben Peters

Charlton Athletic caretaker boss Lee Bowyer has revealed that midfielder Anfernee Dijksteel is suffering from pneumonia.

The 21-year-old Nike Academy product, who can play in midfield or the back-four, hasn’t been involved in any of the Addick’s pre-season friendlies since the extent of his illness was discovered.

“He’s ill,” said Bowyer as he explained the Dutchman’s absence during the 2-1 win at Dulwich Hamlet on Wednesday evening.

“He’s got pneumonia, I think. He’s had it all summer, I think it’s on one of his lungs. He’ll be as long as it takes. He’s on anti-biotics. Hopefully he’ll come back soon. His fitness is really down, that’s how we found out.

“Normally, the kid’s a machine. He’s up and down, up and down. But in the running he was at the back. We were like what’s the matter with him? What’s he done all summer? He’s lost five kilos – he hasn’t got five kilos to lose. We gave him a load of tests, that’s how we found out what’s wrong with him. He’ll be a little while and he’ll have to catch up as well. But we’ve got Sols (Chris Solly) and he’s looked very sharp I think.”