Ramsay: 'It's business time now'

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Kayne Ramsay is delighted to be back in action as the Addicks enter the business end of the 2024/25 campaign.

The versatile defender made his long-awaited return to the side last week, getting valuable minutes against Shrewsbury Town before completing the full 90 minutes against Bristol Rovers as Charlton made it three wins on the spin.

"The last three months have been hard," explained Ramsay. "From the day I got injured, it probably took me around three weeks to accept it, especially as I was playing so well at the start of the season. After that, it was good to see the team come back and get results over the Christmas period. 

"It's six league wins in eight and now we have to push on and keep playing well. Returning on Tuesday with a full 90 minutes was a great feeling. I thought I did well and it's now time to push on and get out their again."

The 24-year-old, who operated on the right side of Nathan Jones' back three against the Pirates, admitted that there is always a bit of nervousness at the back of your mind when making a return.

"Last season I was out for three-and-a-half months as well," he said. "Going into your first game back, you think about the injury, but as you cross that white line it goes out your head and all you can think is, ‘right, it’s business time now.’

"The first challenge I made was on my best friend [Clinton Mola] - I had to go through him and make that ball mine! The second was a real goalscoring opportunity, I had to head that away. Thankfully I came out of the challenges alright."

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Despite enduring a tough period on the sidelines, Ramsay praised his teammates, who have rallied aroudn him throughout.

"It’s a great changing room here," he said. "Going into the game the boys were telling me that there's nothing to worry about and that there's no pressure given the fact I'd been out for 14 weeks. I had to go out and enjoy myself. I was ready to play for about a week before, I was dying to come back and go and perform, and I had to make sure the first thing that I did was right."

With Josh Edwards becoming the latest defender to etch his name on to the scoresheet for the Addicks, Ramsay joked that time is running out and his first goal in Charlton colours is surely on the horizon.

"When Josh scored, I said, ‘no way, I have to be next!’ I can’t believe he scored before me; I have to get a chance at some point!"

Saturday marks Ramsay’s one-year anniversary at the club, having joined on deadline day last winter from Harrogate Town.

Touching on life with the Addicks and his return to the capital, he said: "It’s been brilliant, I've loved it being back at home in London. The Manager has come in and been great for both me and the team. We've got a really got chance of going and accomplishing what we set out to do by getting to the play-offs."

Charlton are back on the road this weekend, travelling to Bloomfield Road to take on Blackpool.

"We’ve got three wins in three now. Going into Blackpool, we know it will be a tough game. They have got a good Manager, and they beat us in the reverse fixture at The Valley. 

"We're going there, and we definitely owe them one, but it's down to us to go and perform and state our mark."

The Addicks return to The Valley on Saturday, February 8th to host Stevenage. Click here to purchase your tickets.

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