Lloyd Jones takes pride from ever-present status as he admits first season at Charlton had ‘difficult’ moments

Lloyd Jones has talked about being in a better physical place this season with the Charlton Athletic defender playing every minute of their 2024-25 campaign.

The Addicks signed the 29-year-old centre-back on a free transfer in the summer of 2023 after his Cambridge United terms expired.

Jones made 32 league appearances in the previous campaign but did not make Charlton’s matchday squad for 11 of the last 12 fixtures due to injury.

Asked about his ever-present record this time around, he told the South London Press: “When I came here that was the main thing I wanted to do but circumstances last year were a bit difficult.

“I came in a bit unfit and carrying an injury. I went missing towards the back end of the season. I think I showed glimpses last season – but to do it this season has been great.

“The gaffer instills confidence in myself and the other players. I just want to keep going and not rest now.”

Jones did not feature in the closing stages of the previous campaign as both he and the club ensured that he was raring to go once the squad reported back to training after their summer off.

“When he (Jones) came in I was feeling it (the injury) but there was no way I was pulling myself out of the game,” he said. “I played four games under him and then I got suspended.

“It was really sore in the last game I played, I think it was Portsmouth. It was really sore for a couple of weeks and then I came back and kept breaking down.

“No-one could find what the issue was. I went to see the specialist and I had a cyst in my knee. It wasn’t a big injury it was just really painful.

“It got to the stage of the season where we wanted to get it sorted – that I’d rather come back firing and get fit after a good pre-season behind me.

“It was a really frustrating one because whenever I’m fit I want to play. Thanfully we got to the bottom of it at the end.”

Jones was made vice-captain by his namesake in the summer.

“It’s a bit weird that I’m getting older because I feel quite young,” he said. “I haven’t played as many games as I’d like, whether that is injuries or whatever.

“I’ve just turned 29 and I’ve turned into a senior player now. I’ve been a pro for 10-11 years. I enjoy the responsibility. He has brought great characters in to help with that as well.”

Charlton’s last action before the international break was an impressive 1-0 win over league leaders Birmingham.

It followed a 3-2 defeat at Bristol Rovers in midweek where boss Jones had taken the blame for a disappointing display which produced a third reverse on the spin.

“I know the manager took that responsibility but I think it is on us as players as well,” said the Charlton defender. “It is a collective.

“There wasn’t massive talking points. It was ‘this is what we’re going to do’ and then it was on to the next game. That is what he is good at. We need to get better in certain moments in certain games. But he is good at now dwelling on it. The bottom line is we’ve got 46 games in the season and we’re not a quarter of the way through.

“We’ve got out of that losing streak but the gaffer was quite calm about it, actually. As soon as we were in on Thursday it was straight to focusing on Birmingham.

“We played them in the cup and there were a few private conversations between the lads. We really believed we could beat Birmingham – and we did.”

PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS