Timothy Ouma set to miss Charlton's West Ham clash over fitness

Timothy Ouma, 22, is set to miss Charlton Athletic’s weekend meeting with West Ham as he continues his return to full fitness. The Kenyan midfielder played 45 minutes for Charlton’s Under-21 side against Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday, but manager Nathan Jones does not consider him ready for Championship-level football.

Ouma’s preparations for the season were disrupted after visa problems delayed his return from Kenya. The interruption also meant he missed much of Charlton’s pre-season training, leaving the club to increase his workload gradually rather than move him straight into first-team competition.

Jones views the midfielder’s progress as ongoing. Ouma was able to complete his Under-21 appearance, but the manager believes the intensity of a senior Championship fixture is considerably higher than that of an academy match. The midfielder is therefore expected to be unavailable again when Charlton visit the London Stadium on Saturday.

The match would have offered Ouma a meeting with a West Ham side that Jones regards as operating at a Premier League standard despite having dropped out of the top flight. He also believes the club has retained most of its squad and strengthened it, making the fixture a significant test for Charlton.

Ouma has already missed Charlton’s season opener against Derby County. His compatriot Collins Sichenje is in a different position, with the defender expected to travel after making a five-minute appearance during Charlton’s 2-1 win last weekend.

Charlton’s short journey to London gives the squad an early opportunity to face one of England’s recently relegated Premier League teams. For Ouma, however, the immediate priority remains rebuilding the fitness base needed to compete regularly at Championship level.