Charlton Athletic boss not taking any risky approach with vice-captain Lloyd Jones

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones has remained predictably tight-lipped on whether Lloyd Jones will definitely be back in his starting line-up over the Easter weekend.

The Addicks vice-captain has missed the last three League One matches with what was initially described by the club as a “minor calf injury”.

Charlton boss Jones has never tended to give much away on the fitness or availability of his players, preferring to leave the opposition guessing.

Asked about his namesake and how close he was to be available for selection, the Welshman responded: “A lot closer than we were last week. Lloyd has recovered really, really well – so we’re hoping to have him back over the weekend.”

Jones added to the South London Press: “We do due-diligence in everything we do. We have a medical department, sports science department and football department – they all have to be aligned. Sometimes we push. We set an environment here that wants to push and demand. But sometimes you have to ask if the short-term gain is at the longer-term risk and that is what Lloyd was.

“This is why you have the squad. You have to trust the squad. There is no point me preaching day in and day out that it is a squad game otherwise. What I wanted to do in the last window was streamline it, so we had a really good aggressive squad that I can replace any like for like, pretty much.

“That is the position we are in. So when Lloyd picked up something there is no point risking him in the real short term when it could have a long-term affect.”

Tyreece Campbell marked his return from a knock with the winner in Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Cambridge United.

But the exciting attacker also required medical attention during the match after being on the receiving end of a heavy challenge.

“He got a dead leg and got some treatment early on,” said Jones. “He is fine. It was really important to get him back. He was the difference on the day, in terms of the quality needed to win it.

“We’ve got some bumps and bruises which you’d expect after a League One game – especially this stage of the season and the pitches the way they are.

“We have to dust everyone down and go into in mentally and physically in the best possible shape.”

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS