CHARLTON boss Lee Bowyer has confirmed THREE of his players are refusing to return to action ahead of the Championship season’s resumption.
Top scorer Lyle Taylor, Chris Solly, and Birmingham loanee David Davis have all informed the club of their intention to sit out the remainder of the campaign.
Taylor, Davis and Solly have seemingly called time on their Charlton careers
According to Bowyer, 43, the trio fear a significant injury amid concerns over footballers being rushed back into match action.
The former midfielder told talkSPORT: “It’s a difficult one for us. We have 15 players out of contract, six loans and nine of our own contracted players out [on loan].
“Unfortunately for us three of those players have said they’re not going to play, and Lyle is one of them.
“That’s tough for us, that’s tough for me as the manager. Lyle’s a big player for us, a bit like [Troy] Deeney at Watford – when he plays we can win games – and Lyle has said he’s not going to play because of risk of injury.
“Chris Solly has said the same and Davis is on loan from Birmingham and he’d said he doesn’t want to come back and play games.
“So we’re three players down.”
CLOCK IS TICKING
Concerns over player safety have been vocalised since plans to restart football were first formulated, particularly by Watford captain Deeney who initially refused to return to training.
Loan deals require agreement from both clubs and the player to be extended past the original June 30 expiry date.
Similarly, out-of-contract players must be tied down to a temporary renewal, at least, by June 23 to ensure they can see out the season.
Charlton currently sit 22nd in the Championship table and the loss of 12-goal Taylor, 30, when his deal expires later this month would significantly harm their survival prospects.
Right-back Solly, 29, has spent his entire career at The Valley but appears destined to leave when his contract runs out in a few weeks.
Bowyer was left feeling helpless as he prepares the Addicks for their nine remaining games.
We’ve got another 22 or 23 players who do want to play … I have to brush this under the carpet and move on.”
Lee Bowyer
He added: “I don’t think I’m asking too much. Lyle is a Charlton player and he’s done great for us for two years, so in my eyes you finish what you started.
“Everyone has got their own decisions to make, and I can’t force them.
“What disappoints me the most, and I’ve spoken to Lyle on the phone and he wants to play, but he’s so worried about getting injured that he’s saying, ‘I wouldn’t be the same player for you’.
“It’s just difficult because he’s so big for us, but he’s going to get a life-changing move elsewhere.
“I know how well he’s done for us, if it wasn’t for Lyle we wouldn’t even be in this division.
“He was outstanding last season, he had a great start this season, and now he’s chosen not to come back and play until the end.
Addicks boss Bowyer faces an uphill task to keep his team in the divisionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“It’s just another hurdle. We’ve got another 22 or 23 players who do want to play, and that’s the moment important thing to me now, I have to brush that under the carpet and move on.
“That’s what we’ll do as a football club, we’ll move on without those players and we’ll fight until the end.”
Also on Monday, QPR slammed an EFL proposal to restart matches on June 20 and claimed they were “appalled” by the way that football’s return has been handled.
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