Crystal Palace loanee has made scoring goals an art form – but finishing top of Charlton charts was not his main target

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has turned goalscoring into an art form this season – but the Crystal Palace loanee also reckons he has vastly improved the physical side of his game at Charlton Athletic this season as well.

The 20-year-old grabbed a stunning brace during Easter Monday’s 3-2 home win over Burton Albion to take him up to 13 for the season. He has overtaken Miles Leaburn to become the Addicks’ leading goalscorer for the campaign.

But the Southwark-born wideman says finishing top of the goalscoring chart isn’t a target he set himself this year.

“Not necessarily,” he explained.  “I’m just trying to build on and improve game by game. If I keep doing well and working hard, I know the goals and opportunities will come. The most important thing is we keep winning and try and finish as high as we can in the table.

“I’ve got a lot stronger, which has helped me. I knew there would be a lot of physicality in this division. That’s really helped me because I know if I want to play at the highest level, you’ve got to be good on the ball but also, you’ve got to be strong as well.

“It’s a lot more physical [in League One]. You don’t get a lot of time on the ball before the defenders are on you. You’ve got to be smart. I’m happy that the gym programme here has helped me develop and get stronger because that’s what I needed coming into this season.

“Of course, I wanted to score a hat-trick, but the most important thing is we got the three points.

“We wanted to get that reaction from Friday’s [defeat at Bristol Rovers]. We wanted a reaction for the fans who made the journey to Bristol. We’re happy we got the three points today.

“It’s easy when the team is doing well. I’ve got a lot of good players around me which helps me. In training were working hard together, trying to get a strong connection with each other and it’s working.”

PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS