Charlton defender Cory Gibbs has begun training with the New England Revolution as a step in his recovery from a trio of knee surgeries that cost him a place at World Cup 2006 and the entire 2006/07 Premiership season.

The Brown University product has long kept an eye on the Beantown boys, but the rehab stint is simply that - the US international is fully focused on making his first appearance for the Addicks when the new English Championship campaign begins in August.

Gibbs has not seen club first team action since helping ADO Den Haag avoid the Eredivisie drop as a loan star just over a year ago, managing a single Charlton Reserves appearance this season. The stifling man marker has seen the better part of his last two terms eradicated by the knee troubles.

After an injury during a US friendly with England cost him the first half of Feyenoord's 2005/06 campaign, Gibbs was diagnosed with more knee woes in the aftermath of a World Cup tune-up against Morocco last spring. Two setbacks and a third operation later, the 27-year old is heading into the final stages of his lengthy recovery.