Bromley have been dealt a significant blow in their debut League One campaign after midfielder Ashley Charles was confirmed as sidelined for the rest of the season with serious knee damage.

The 27-year-old suffered the injury during the second half of Saturday's 1-1 draw and scans subsequently revealed cruciate ligament damage. Charles has already undergone surgery, with manager Andy Woodman ruling him out for the remainder of the current campaign.

"Ashley has sadly snapped his cruciate and has done some other damage in his knee," Woodman said. "He's had an operation and I don't think we'll be seeing him again this season, which is a real blow for not only Ashley, but for us too."

Woodman added that a return before the start of next season would be considered a bonus, but stressed that the club is approaching the rehabilitation on a realistic timeline. "With that sort of injury, we know it's going to be about a year," he said.

A key figure in Bromley's rise

The timing is particularly painful given how central Charles has become to the Ravens. He joined from Wealdstone in February 2024, having started his career at Watford, and quickly established himself as one of the most important players in the squad.

In the League Two season that ended with Bromley winning the title and earning promotion to the third tier for the first time in the club's history, Charles was a near ever-present, making 45 appearances. He was rewarded with a double honour at the end-of-season awards, being voted joint-players' player of the season and the chairman's player of the season.

That recognition, combined with his consistent performances, led the club to hand him a new three-year contract in the summer. It is a measure of how much trust Bromley placed in him that the deal was done before the injury struck.

The challenge for Woodman's side

For a newly promoted side adjusting to life in the third tier, losing a player of Charles's durability and quality so early in the season is a serious test. Bromley have already opened their League One account with a win at Barnsley, showing the ambition that earned them their place in the division, but building consistency without a key midfield presence will require solutions.

Woodman will now need to look at his options in the engine room. The club recently added to their squad with the signing of Wigan midfielder Tobias Brenan, and the manager will be hoping that move provides some cover for the loss of Charles.

Cruciate ligament injuries, more formally known as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures, typically require a rehabilitation period of nine to twelve months. They involve the ligament that stabilises the knee joint, and a full rupture almost always requires surgery followed by a structured programme of physiotherapy before a player can return to competitive football. A return inside a year, as Woodman hinted, would be at the optimistic end of the expected timeline.

Woodman was at pains to emphasise the club's commitment to the player throughout his recovery. "We've been very supportive of Ashley and we wish him well," he said, "and hopefully he'll be back before next season. That would be a bonus."

For a side with promotion ambitions of their own further down the line, keeping hold of a player of Charles's calibre through rehabilitation will be just as important as managing his absence on the pitch this term.

Frequently asked

How long is Ashley Charles out for Bromley?
Manager Andy Woodman has indicated Charles is out for the rest of the current season, with a return timeline of around a year due to cruciate ligament damage and surgery.
What injury did Ashley Charles suffer?
Charles suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament, also known as an ACL injury, which he picked up during Saturday's match. He has since had surgery to address the damage.
Who is Ashley Charles and why is he important to Bromley?
Ashley Charles is a 27-year-old midfielder who was a near ever-present as Bromley won the League Two title last season, making 45 appearances. He was voted joint-players' player and chairman's player of the season, and had recently signed a new three-year contract.