Lyle Taylor Sends Message to Charlton Athletic Fans

The 30-year-old striker has said that it is due to concerns over a knee injury that he does not want to be return to action for Charlton this month before his contract runs out.

The Montserrat international striker is out of contract at the Addicks at the end of June, and he has already decided that he will not put pen to paper on a new deal.

Charlton manager Gary Bowyer said earlier this week that the striker has refused to train or play for the team this month.

The Championship will resume on June 20, with the Addicks in real danger of getting relegated to League One.

Bowyers side are third from bottom in the league table at the moment with 39 points from 37 matches, two points behind 21st-placed Hull City.

Taylor is Charlton’s most important player, with his goals having guided the team to promotion from League One at the end of last season and helping them stay in touching distance of safety in the Championship this campaign.

The striker scored 21 goals and provided 11 assists in the ‘regular’ league campaign in League One last season, and scored once and provided two assists in the playoffs.

So far this season, Taylor has scored 11 goals and provided one assist in the Championship for the Addicks.

Taylor told Sky Sports: “I’m gutted at the way it’s finishing, but I don’t expect people to care. I know that once the damage is done it’s irreparable and I don’t really expect any sympathy.

“We are the first ones able to go back so that’s difficult for footballers and football clubs. My reasons and concerns stem from my knee injury - it plays on the mind.

“It makes me think what would happen if I had an injury now that threatened the rest of my career. I’ll be honest with you, it scared the life out of me. That’s my honest reasoning. I know it won’t sit well with people but it’s been a very hard decision to make.

“I want to play to keep this team in the league; we have worked so hard to get here. But there is something in the back of my head that says if you get a serious injury the chance you have worked and dreamed of since you were six-years-old is gone.

“I’m not 26 or 27 - I’m 30 years old. The way I play, it puts me in positions that I could get seriously injured at any time.”