KELLY Youga is still in regular contact with Charlton on his road to recovery even though he is no longer under contract at the club.

Youga made only 69 appearances with the Addicks, with his stay in SE7 overshadowed by a series of injury problems.

The 25-year-old defender’s contract ran out in the summer but manager Chris Powell confirmed Youga is still an occasional visitor to Sparrows Lane as he bids to get his career back on track.

“He comes in but he has had a lot of his treatment in France because that was a decision which was made by the medical department to have a lot of his rehab there,” the Charlton boss said.

“It is long, is a slow and it is rather unfortunate for Kelly.

“We know it is part and parcel of football but it has been such a long time.

“But when he comes back here he is in good spirits and obviously we get reports on how he is doing, but it is going to be a long and slow one.

“It is a situation we just have to take time with because ultimately you just want him to be fit and healthy again.”

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