Charlton Athletic defender set to miss remainder of the League One season

Sam Lavelle is expected to miss the rest of Charlton Athletic’s season with the shoulder injury he sustained in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at AFC Wimbledon.

The former Morecambe defender was forced off in the second period at Plough Lane. And then replacement Ryan Inniss had only been on the pitch for seven minutes before he saw red for a horrible late challenge on George Marsh.

“It looks like he has dislocated his shoulder or clavicle and it’s highly unlikely we’ll see him again this season,” Charlton boss Johnnie Jackson told the South London Press. “We’ve only got five games to go in the next three weeks.

“It is a shame. He missed a big chunk with his groin injury that needed surgery. He got himself back fit and got himself back in the team and I thought he was improving every game. He looked solid and was doing well. So I’m gutted for him.

“He is a great lad and really unlucky that he is going to miss more football.

“The positive is that it has happened at the end of the season and that means we can get it sorted and he’ll be ready for pre-season. He needs to get it sorted to make sure it is not a long-term issue.”

Inniss starts a three game suspension with fellow centre-back Deje Elerewe (knee) also not available for Saturday’s match at Rotherham United.

“We’ve got Pearcey and Akin [Famewo], who came on [after Inniss was dismissed],” said Jackson. “Gunter is available. We’ve got some options. So we’ll have to have a look this morning. Ben Purrington was struggling towards the end, he took a whack to his knee.

“There were some tired boys in the changing room. It’s about patching up as best we can.”