Charlton Athletic (H) Preview

Wanderers are back on home soil this weekend as they play host to Charlton Athletic in the npower Championship.

Dougie Freedman’s side will be looking to secure all three points at the Reebok and bring to an end the in-form Addicks’ seven-match unbeaten run in the league.

Under the tutelage of Chris Powell, the visitors have made a positive start to life back in the second tier following their promotion from League One in the summer. 

Powell is approaching his second anniversary in charge of the club he enjoyed three separate spells at as a player, accumulating over 250 appearances. 

Last season was his first full campaign at the helm and his side enjoyed tremendous success; romping to the League One title with a final points haul of 101.

The team’s form at the start of the current campaign was indifferent with just one win from their opening six games, including a 1-0 defeat to Dougie Freedman’s Crystal Palace at The Valley in September.

The following match saw Charlton lose 3-2 away at Derby, but since then the Londoners have not lost on the road, putting together an incredible run of results that has included victories at Ipswich, Blackpool, Bristol City and Burnley.

Experienced forward Ricardo Fuller joined Charlton on a free transfer this summer after spending six seasons with Stoke City.

In a much-travelled career, Fuller’s first English club was Charlton’s London rivals Crystal Palace. He then went on to play in the SPL for Hearts, Preston, Portsmouth, Southampton and Ipswich before settling at the Britannia Stadium where he became a firm fans’ favourite.

He made over 200 appearances for the Potters, scoring a total of 50 goals and turning in some impressive, all-action displays for Tony Pulis’s side. 

When his contract ran out at the end of last season he decided to move on and has found a new home at The Valley, signing an initial one-year deal. 

Tyrone Mears is available for selection again, having served a one-match suspension last weekend for accumulating five yellow cards this campaign.

Mark Davies is out with a shoulder injury that he picked up in the 2-2 draw with Huddersfield last weekend. The midfielder could be out for up to three months.

Matt Mills, who limped off in the closing stages of the clash at the John Smith’s Stadium, is also ruled out with a groin injury.

While Stuart Holden continues rehabilitation from his knee injury by training with the first team, the weekend’s fixture comes too soon for the midfielder.

Other long-term absentees Josh Vela and David Wheater remain sidelined; both with knee injuries. 

The referee from Cambridgeshire has taken charge of seven games so far this season and has issued a total of 25 yellow cards and one red.

Fans should be aware that the club’s pre-match FanZone facility will not be in operation prior to this this game.