Fresh injury setback for one of Charlton Athletic’s transfer window additions

Conor McGrandles’ luckless start to life in a Charlton Athletic shirt has continued with the summer signing requiring surgery on a fractured hand.

A knee injury suffered at the very end of the last League One season delayed the 26-year-old midfielder’s introduction into Ben Garner’s squad at the start of this season.

McGrandles came off the bench to impress in Tuesday’s 5-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle but also doubled over in pain after a shooting chance, which is when he sustained his latest issue.

“He had an operation Thursday,” said Garner. “We’ll now recuperate him and get him back as soon as we can.

“The type of fracture it was, it had to be operated on. And there’s a period of time he won’t be able to have impact. We’re looking into all types of casts and protective materials that can be used. We’ll try and get him back on the pitch as quickly as we can.”

Fulham loanee Steven Sessegnon was also absent. He was an unused sub against Plymouth in midweek.

Garner said: “Sess had some tightness in his hamstring. We scanned him and there’s a little bit of a strain in there. He’ll be out for a little period of time. We’re looking at weeks for both of them [him and McGrandles].”

Corey Blackett-Taylor was being assessed after coming off in today’s 1-1 draw against Cambridge United, with Garner saying the areas of concern were his ankle and knee.

MAIN PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS