Charlton Athletic defender “way ahead” of return date from injury sustained against Leyton Orient

Charlton Athletic head coach Nathan Jones says that defender Josh Edwards is “way ahead of schedule” on his return from an ankle injury.

The summer signing from Dunfermline damaged ligaments after being on the receiving end of a late sliding tackle by Sean Clare last month in a derby win over Leyton Orient at The Valley.

Edwards’ place in the side has been taken by Thierry Small.

But the Scot trained with Charlton today.

Asked by the South London Press if Edwards had made a quicker than expected recovery, Jones said: “Well considering the gravity of the challenge, yeah, he’s way ahead of schedule.

“First and foremost after the challenge we had to rule out any kind of break, which was very, very important. That came quickly and then it’s ligament damage and so on.

“Then it’s, one, how bad the ligament damage is and, two, on the individual. Some individuals come back quicker than others, some have a mentality where they do everything possible in terms of rehab, eating, sleeping, resting, ice – all those minor, little things that help you come back quicker.

“Josh has had that, plus he’s had a mentality to want to get back, and all those help.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD