Despite English reports to the contrary, Charlton are hoping defender Cory Gibbs can come back from a foot injury in time to make his long awaited club debut in early 2008.

Several papers across the pond asserted that the hard luck center back's season was ended by the setback of three cracked metatarsal bones in his left foot suffered in second team action last week, but the Premiership promotion chasers aren't throwing in the towel that easy.

"The normal recovery time is about two months," Addicks press officer Jeanette Earl told American Soccer Daily. "They won't be putting a specific (target date) on his return."

Despite signing in the summer of 2006, Gibbs has yet to work his first league contest for Charlton due to twin knee surgeries. The Florida native was near the end of that recovery road for a second time when he was forced from a reserve match against Brighton early on October 15th.