‘I had to mature quickly mentally’ – Charlton Athletic striker Miles Leaburn on facing injury challenge

EXCLUSIVE
BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Charlton striker Miles Leaburn  has opened up over the mental battle – as well as the physical hard graft – that has gone into his recovery from a  serious hamstring injury.

The 21-year-old underwent surgery on the injury after coming off in Charlton’s 2-1 win over Cheltenham Town in November 2023.

Leaburn returned to the first-team fold in October when he came on as a substitute in the Addicks’ 3-2 defeat at Bristol Rovers.

“I had to mature mentally quite quickly,” Leaburn told the South London Press, when quizzed about his recovery period. “I had to stay positive. I was the only person injured at the time and it was just me in the gym. It was a long process with a lot of setbacks.

“Originally I thought it would be five months and it ended up being 10. I remember being at a point where I should be nearing a return but was told it would take time – it was frustrating.

“I heard a really bad rip (when did did the injury). I went to push off and there was nothing to push off on. I wasn’t in too much pain but a day later I was in quite a bit of pain.

“During the injury, I thought: ‘Am I going to be the same player? Am I going to be able to do what I was doing before?’ They were big questions that were weighing on me mentally.

“I don’t think I’m the same yet – even now – but I’m getting back slowly. I still have a way to go.”

Leaburn has 10 goals in all competitions and has featured 32 times this season.

He said: “My main focus has been staying fit and doing everything in my power to give my body that chance of not picking up any niggles or injuries.

“If we ever get two days off, which is rare, I’ll come in on one of those days and stretch – do something to keep my body ticking and not giving it that day of doing nothing. Even if it is just going on a walk.

“When I was 18, I was immature and probably didn’t do anything to help. Now I’m doing a lot more to give my body the chance to stay fit.

“As a young player, you get told to do things by medical staff but sometimes you think: ‘Ah, I’ll be fine anyway.’ But the proof is loud and clear for me. I haven’t really picked anything up since – and I want to keep it that way.

“The goals, as a striker, is what I want the most. To have 10 is nice but I just want to keep building on it and my performances.”

Leaburn – the son of former AFC Wimbledon and Charlton striker Carl – spent six weeks over the summer at St. George’s Park, home of the England national team, with rehabilitation specialists Game Changer Performance.

Charlton extended his recovery period in order to ensure the towering forward, who won December’s League One Player of the Month award, returned without any hiccups.

“I was here, then went to St George’s Park and then came straight back,” he said.

“I haven’t had a holiday but it wasn’t needed. What was needed was me in the gym getting back playing.

“It’s better to take extra months instead of coming back early and being out for longer. It gives you a better chance in the long run of staying fit.”

Leaburn is battling for a starting spot in Nathan Jones’ side alongside Matty Godden, with the 33-year-old taking his tally to 15 this season in Charlton’s 2-1 win over Wigan on Saturday. Other rivals for an attacking spot are Tyreece Campbell,  player-coach Danny Hylton and Chuks Aneke.

“I’ve learned huge amounts from them,” said Leaburn.

“When  I’m on the bench and watch Godders play, I look at his movement and what he does at throw-ins – where he starts and the timing of his jumps. You can just see the experience.

“Hylts has the dark arts and smartness. Chuks helps with how to use his physicality. I chat to them all before games.”

Charlton’s season has turned around, losing just twice in the league since December 7 . They are fourth in the table with nine games remaining.

“Sometimes it’s about those moments where it clicks,” said Leaburn, who is 10 matches off a century of first-team appearances.

“Once you get the first win, you just build on it.

“When you have a manager like ours, who shows how passionate he is every game, it just impresses on us and it motivates you so much.”

MAIN PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS