Charlton Athletic to fully support Jake Forster-Caskey through his rehab after suffering ACL damage

Nigel Adkins says that Charlton Athletic will support Jake Forster-Caskey right through his recovering process – with confirmation earlier this week that the midfielder had suffered ACL damage.

The 27-year-old is set to be out of contract at the end of June.

Forster-Caskey suffered the injury to his left knee during the first half of the 3-1 win over Lincoln on Tuesday night.

Asked if Charlton had a duty of care to the former Brighton and MK man, Adkins replied: “As far as I’m concerned it is. I don’t know what the actual side of it is, but he has got injured playing for us and he’s got medical care. The rehabilitation and all the things that come with that, we will be looking after him.

“We value him, which is very important.

“He’s got a knee injury and is on the road to recovery. People get injured in football, it’s unfortunate for Jake but he is going to get fantastic support from the football club. We have got exceptional football staff.

“Just before I came in here [to do press] I had a cup of tea with him and a chat. He knows what he has got to go and do. He’s valued by us at the football club. He has got to go through the process and he is prepared to do that. We’ll be there to support him along the way.

“I really enjoyed having him with us. He is a talent football player. He’s a smashing character as well. I can only take people at face value in the short space of time I’ve been here. I’ve been really impressed with him as a human being and as a football player.

“It’s a shame he has picked up this injury but things happen in life – it is how you respond. He is going to get support from us and I know he has got his mindset right, which is important to deal with that situation.

“I’m looking forward to working with him again in the future.”

Forster-Caskey is due to be a free agent this summer.

Asked how it affected negotiations or plans in regards to the former England U21 international, Adkins said: “We have got players who are out of contract, I think it is nine, Jake being one of them. When we establish what division we’re in for next season then obviously the contract negotiations, talks and retained list will go on then. The players will be the first to know, that is the important thing, and it is not done by the media. That’s where we are with all the players really.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD