The 20-year-old centre-forward came through the academy ranks at Charlton and has turned some heads by scoring seven goals in all competitions so far for the Addicks.
Leaburn suffered a hamstring injury last month in the game against Cheltenham and underwent surgery, which is expected to keep him out of action for five months.
Appleton stressed that Charlton will be cautious with forward’s recovery and believes that the injury will be a learning curve for Leaburn.
The Addicks boss also added that his injury will teach him the importance of discipline and the need of patience in the recovery period which will help him in the future.
“It’s a setback for him at such a young age”, Appleton told the South London Press.
“From a maturity point of view, it will help him – he probably doesn’t think that or realise it at the minute.
“But over a period of time, the type of discipline that he’s going to have to show while he is out injured and the patience he’s going to have to show because of the type of injury that it is, will stand him in good stead for what will be a great career for him.
“I’d rather be really cautious with this one.
“I’m sure that [five months] will be the case because the reality is that muscular injuries of this severity take time.”
Charlton are set to take on Cambridge United at the weekend and Appleton will be hoping that other centre forwards will raise their game in the absence of Leaburn.
