Charlton boss Lee Bowyer has revealed Lyle Taylor is one of three players refusing to play when the Championship restarts.
Bowyer revealed the Rangers-linked striker is on the verge of a "life-changing" transfer and is terrified of picking up an injury that could wreck the move.
The Addicks will also be without Chris Solly and David Davis when EFL clubs resume their seasons on June 20.
Taylor has scored 11 goals for the club this season and reports in late 2019 claimed Steven Gerrard was interested in taking him to Ibrox when his contract expires this summer.
He's told his manager he "wouldn't be the same player" with the thought of losing out on a big move at the back of his mind.
“It’s a difficult one for us," Bowyer told talkSPORT.
“We have 15 players out of contract and we have six loans and nine of our own contracted players out [at other clubs].
“Unfortunately for us three of those players have said they’re not going to play, and Lyle is one of them.
“That’s tough for us, that’s tough for me as the manager. Lyle’s a big player for us, a bit like Deeney at Watford – when he plays we can win games – and Lyle has said he’s not going to play because of risk of injury.
“Chris Solly has said the same and Davis is on loan from Birmingham and he’d said he doesn’t want to come back and play games.
“So we’re three players down.
“I don’t think I’m asking too much. Lyle is a Charlton player and he’s done great for us for two years, so in my eyes you finish what you started.
“Everyone has got their own decisions to make, and I can’t force them.
“What disappoints me the most, and I’ve spoken to Lyle on the phone and he wants to play, but he’s so worried about getting injured that he’s saying, ‘I wouldn’t be the same player for you’.
“It’s just difficult because he’s so big for us, but he’s going to get a life-changing move elsewhere.
“I know how well he’s done for us, if it wasn’t for Lyle we wouldn’t even be in this division. He was outstanding last season, he had a great start this season, and now he’s chosen not to come back and play until the end.
“It’s just another hurdle. We’ve got another 22 or 23 players who do want to play, and that’s the moment important thing to me now, I have to brush that under the carpet and move on.
“That’s what we’ll do as a football club, we’ll move on without those players and we’ll fight until the end.”
