Lyle Taylor on his decision to not play for Charlton Athletic in Championship run in

Lyle Taylor has spoken out about his decision not to make himself available to play for Charlton Athletic for the remainder of the season.

The striker is out of contract at the end of July and manager Lee Bowyer revealed earlier this week that his talisman was not prepared to risk injury ahead of a summer switch away from SE7.

Taylor is understood to have at least one option abroad and has been linked with Rangers.

The 30-year-old has scored 36 goals in 67 matches for Charlton since a free transfer switch from AFC Wimbledon.

Taylor’s decision not to play has been criticised by some of the South London club’s fanbase, with Bowyer’s side in serious danger of an instant return to League One.

Taylor told Sky Sports: “Maybe forgiveness is too strong a word, but maybe acceptance that this hasn’t been easy and isn’t going to be easy for me.

“Maybe at some point people will say ‘we don’t like it, but we understand why he has done it’.

“At the age I am, should I get injured then there won’t be another opportunity. Should I get seriously injured, I doubt there will be the opportunity to play at the level I am now.

“Since I was 18 and released at Millwall my dream was to play at the highest level I could possibly play at. I was told I wasn’t good enough to be a professional footballer at that age, I was told I wasn’t good enough for League One and told I wouldn’t make the step up to the Championship. All I’ve tried to do is prove those people wrong.”