Injury-plagued Socceroos defender Rhys Williams has joined Championship club Charlton Athletic on loan from Middlesborough.
Williams links up with The Addicks for an initial 28-day loan with the view of gaining much needed match fitness following a long-term battle with an Achilles injury.
The 27-year-old ruptured his Achilles in January 2014 before suffering an identical injury in his return to Middlesborough’s starting line-up after 11 months out of the game.
Back fit again, Williams will be looking for consistent playing time as he looks to return to Middlesborough’s first team towards the end of the current campaign.
The versatile defender returned last month for Boro's Under-21 outfit, playing 90 minutes in a 3-2 loss to Reading.
Williams was immediately included in Charlton’s squad for Saturday’s clash with Nottingham Forrest, playing the final 10 minutes in his side’s 1-1 draw at home.
Meanwhile, Socceroo defender Brad Smith was involved for Liverpool in the Premier League overnight, playing the final 30 minutes as the Reds went down 2-0 away to West Ham United.
It continues a rapid ascension for Smith after the 21-year-old made his starting debut just three weeks ago in Liverpool’s 0-0 Europa League draw with FC Sion.
