Nathan Jones reveals Matty Godden situation at Charlton Athletic - fans will feel bittersweet about this | OneFootball

Nathan Jones has given an update on when Matty Godden may return to action for Charlton Athletic

Nathan Jones has revealed that Matty Godden "played through a lot of pain" en route to helping Charlton Athletic win promotion, and he will hopefully be back in action "at some point in January."

The Addicks were promoted from League One last season in large part due to Matty Godden's contributions, with 14 of the 19 goals he scored last term coming in 2025 as the Addicks made their run up the third-tier table and into the play-offs, which they eventually won.

However, knee surgery during the summer has stopped Godden from making his Championship return, and Nathan Jones has revealed that the 34-year-old needed a second procedure to help him with the recovery.

Luckily, Godden should be back in training this month, with a view to returning in the new year. Given how much he sacrificed towards the back end of last season, the frontman, who is already seen as a hero at The Valley, has certified that with this update.

Nathan Jones reveals Matty Godden injury timeline update at Charlton Athletic

Speaking to club media, Charlton boss Nathan Jones gave an update on when Addicks fans may be seeing Godden make his return for the first time since the play-off final, and gave an insight into how much he gave in the run-up to that win against Leyton Orient at Wembley.

"Matty played through a lot of pain towards the end of last season," Jones said.

"He got through it and, in doing so, was vital in our promotion to the Championship.

"An initial procedure didn't clear up the injury, so he needed a second procedure, and that's why his return has been delayed.

"He will likely start training at the end of December and will hopefully be back at some point in January."

It's a bittersweet feeling for Charlton fans, as the length of time that the 34-year-old has spent on the shelf just emphasises how much pain he was in during the tail end of last season.

However, instead of ending last season in the treatment room, he fought through it and gave Addicks fans a day they'll never forget in May.

If Godden had done that, perhaps his time out of the side wouldn't have been as long. But then, if it wasn't for his contributions, Nathan Jones' side may not be in the Championship at all.

Matty Godden's return from injury couldn't come any sooner for Charlton Athletic

What was a great return to the Championship after five seasons in League One has been marred slightly by a rough few weeks and four straight defeats.

The Addicks are amongst the lowest scorers in the second tier, and Godden's leadership and attacking nous have been missed greatly throughout the opening half of the campaign.

With suggestions that Daniel Kanu or Micah Mbick could be recalled this January as Charlton look to inject some life into their frontline, most fans would rather wait for Godden to return.

Ultimately, there's that risk that, at 34, a knee injury which has required two surgeries over the past few months could massively affect how Godden plays, and there's no certainty that the Addicks' striker will pick up where he left off last season.