EFL boss bans stars from shopping, bowling and Costa Coffee in strict new rules

Nathan Jones revealed his stars had been told to avoid a number of activities following their win at Crawley on Tuesday.

The Addicks moved up to fourth with a 1-0 victory thanks to Thierry Small's first half goal.

Jones' side are now just five points adrift of the automatic promotion places with 10 matches remaining.

However, second place Wycombe have played a game less than the sides below them.

Following a fifth win in six last night, Jones lifted the lid on his post-match team talk.

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The former Luton boss banned his players from celebrating the victory with a shopping trip or bowling.

He even told them not to drink Costa Coffee the following day, instead resting up for their next match.

Speaking to the club's media channels, Jones explained: "I've just said to them it's nine or ten weeks of your life, going into eight weeks of your life now, where you sacrifice everything.

"You're not shopping tomorrow, you're not bowling, and your diet's good. If your wife or girlfriend wants to go shopping or wants to do that they have to make the sacrifices.

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"It's a massive sacrifice for us to achieve something because you can't now go to Bluewater tomorrow walking around high-fiving and going to Costa Coffee when you should be resting and all those things.

"Now we have to be at it, now the professional has to be paramount and everyone sacrifices, everyone's family is sacrificing for the greater good if you like and we've demanded that from them.

"It shows in the performances, it shows in the people that come on, and we've got a togetherness in the group."

Charlton are back in action on Saturday, hosting Wigan at The Valley.

Jones, who has been in charge since February 2024, has seen his side lose just once in their last 12 league matches.

Their fine run of form has included nine wins, with the only defeat coming away to league leaders Birmingham.

During Jones' tenure, Charlton have won 27 of 60 matches across all competitions.

As well as setting out new rules for his players to follow, the Welshman also commented on the absence of his captain.

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Greg Docherty missed Tuesday's match after the birth of his son, with Jones asked about his absence.

He explained: "I don't know who books a cesarean the day before a game but, hey, that is what happens.

"Congratulations to him, we're glad everything is good but we've won a few games without him - it could be to his detriment."

The Addicks skipper has scored three goals from midfield in 30 league appearances this season.

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Docherty will be hoping to return to the side to boost Charlton's hopes of a Championship return.

The club are currently in their fifth season outside the second tier following relegation in 2020.