Collins Sichenje: Harambee Stars Defender Still Out as Charlton Coach Shares Concerning Injury Update

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones has shared a worrying update on Collins Sichenje’s injury as his side prepares to host Bristol City at The Valley.

The Addicks enter the match in solid form, having secured seven points from their last four games, but Collins Sichenje’s injury continues to worry the coach.

Collins Sichenje suffered a hamstring injury on February 28, 2026, during Charlton Athletic's Championship fixture against Wrexham.

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The setback occurred after he was forced to play three high-intensity matches in quick succession shortly after joining the club from Serbia.

Consequently, Collins Sichenje was ruled out for several weeks, missing key league games and a call-up to Harambee Stars for the FIFA Series.

Nathan Jones explained that his squad had improved in terms of fitness and availability after the recent international window, with more players now ready for selection than before the pause.

However, he pointed out that Collins Sichenje and Reece Burke were still not as advanced in their recovery or match readiness as the rest of the group, indicating they would require more time before returning fully to action.

He went on to express frustration with the mid-season interruption, suggesting that such breaks make it difficult for teams to maintain the consistency and momentum built during the campaign.

While he acknowledged that the period allows players to rest and gives international call-ups the chance to represent their countries, something he values, it nonetheless disrupts training flow and preparation, forcing the team to rebuild sharpness and cohesion once domestic action resumes.

"Our squad is stronger coming out of the international break than we were going into it. Collins [Sichenje] and [Reece] Burke are the two players who are a little further off than the others," he said.

"I don't really like international breaks because you have to pick back up from where you were and get into a good rhythm. It is important to have downtime and to get players back, and we are proud of our internationals, but it is a big disruption."

Nathan Jones added that picking up seven points from three matches had played a significant role in shaping the team’s current position, but admitted he felt let down by the outcomes of two recent home fixtures.

The Charlton Athletic coach explained that, in his view, his side had done enough across those matches to secure maximum points, having created the clearer opportunities and looked the more threatening team, particularly in games against Wrexham A.F.C. and Norwich City F.C.

He added that while the general level of performance had been encouraging, the team had fallen short in decisive moments, lacking the precision and composure needed to convert their chances, which ultimately left him frustrated with the final results despite the positives in their overall displays.

"I want to finish as high as possible, to be as close to our goal as possible. We are bang on track for where we want to be, and where our final destination is. I want us to win games and show that we are ultra-competitive," the coach added.

Friday's match will see Roy Hodgson in the Bristol City dugout for the first time since Gerhard Struber's departure last week. This presents a familiar challenge for Jones and his team.

"Again, we seem to be coming up against the final game or first game that managers have," he remarked. "We seem to have made a habit of it this year. I have no idea what Bristol City are going to do and what shape they will be in. All I can affect is us."