McLeod: I`ll Be Back

Charlton Athletic player Izale McLeod has promised fans he will return from injury in December as a reformed man. The 23-year-old has confessed he wants to become "fitter and stronger" than he ever was.

Having been loaned out to Colchester initially for a month, the former MK Dons ace suffered extensive knee ligament damage in what was only his second game for the club. Charlton fans are cursing their luck after Svetoslav Todorov had already suffered a similar setback this season.

"I can't be bitter about it,' he told Colchester's official website this week. "I just need to put all my energies into getting back to full fitness and I am sure I will be fitter and stronger that I ever was before.

"I am going to see one of the best knee specialists in the whole country so I will be in the safest hands," he added.

The striker also said he wished the U`s all the best in their relegation battle: "I knew a few of the Colchester players before and despite the fact that I was only there a short while, I will be following their results closely in the next few weeks and hope they can get out of trouble."

U`s manager Geraint Williams had echoed the statements felt by Colchester when wishing the player a speedy recovery in the EDAT.

"The injury was caused by an innocuous shoulder charge. Izzy's foot was planted in the floor, and as a result his knee was badly twisted. It's very disappointing for the lad, and we wish him well," said Colchester`s manager.