Middlesbrough defender Rhys Williams has joined fellow Championship club Charlton Athletic on loan.
The 27-year-old heads to The Valley with the intention of gaining some much-needed match fitness following almost 2 years of absence through injury.
Williams, capped 14 times for Australia, ruptured his Achilles in January 2014 before sustaining the very same injury upon his return to Middlesbrough's starting line-up in just under 12 months later.
Sitting second-last in the Championship, Charlton manager Karel Fraeye has signed the versatile defender on an initial 28-day loan, and immediately included him in the Addicks' squad for Saturday's 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.
INCOMING | Charlton have signed Rhys Williams on an initial 28-day loan from @Boro -> https://t.co/kiFJ8jcROg #cafc pic.twitter.com/s2JZQI718D
- Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) January 2, 2016
Prior to the loan, Boro boss Aitor Karanka told Gazette Live that only match time will help Williams get back to the level he was at prior to his Achilles troubles.
"He is a very good player but he needs games to get back to his best potential," Karanka said.
"It will be very difficult for him to play in this time at this minute.
"If he is playing and if he is fit he can be a good player for this team."