Collins Sichenje: Charlton Coach Opens Up on Big Risk that Left Harambee Stars Defender Injured

Charlton Athletic coach Nathan Jones has expressed his frustration at the unfortunate circumstances that forced him to field Kenyan defender Collins Sichenje, leading to his injury.

Sichenje was not involved on Saturday as Charlton eased their relegation fears with a 1-0 win over Birmingham City in the English Championship since he is nursing an injury.

That came after three straight games for the club, having made his debut in the 1-1 draw against Southampton, when he played 90 minutes, before managing 55 minutes against West Bromwich Albion, and then 77 minutes when they played Zak Vyner’s Wrexham last weekend.

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Jones admits he did not wish to give the Harambee Stars defender such a heavy workload soon after signing him in January from Serbian side FK Vojvodina but injuries to key players Reece Burke and Luke Berry forced his hand.

“They [Burke and Berry] picked up muscular injuries. We’re trying to manage it,” Jones told the media on Saturday as per London World.

“We have an excellent environment. [Collins] Sichenje is the unfortunate one. Burke has had some problems this year and we have got to get to the bottom of that. Berry hadn’t played much and then picked up something.

“Sichenje was a victim of circumstance. He played 90 minutes [v Southampton]. We put him on for the West Brom game, Lloyd [Jones] went down after 20 odd minutes. We had to play him, put him back out. Burke went down after 11 minutes [v Wrexham], so we had to play him. Then he picked up something from there,” he added on the circumstances leading to Sichenje’s injury.

Jones says playing three straight energy-sapping games soon after arriving from Serbia, where he was still on pre-season, was a great risk for Sichenje but he had to do it due to his limited options.

“He’s been on a pre-season in Serbia and the intensity of the Championship - without being disrespectful to any other league - is considerably higher than a lot of European leagues. We knew he was at risk but that’s football and needs must,” Jones stated.

The win over Birmingham left Charlton in 18th position on the 24-team table with 44 points, nine away from the relegation zone, ahead of Wednesday’s tough match against second-placed and promotion-chasing Middlesbrough which might come too early for Sichenje.