After days of discussions the date for the match at Craven Cottage has been confirmed as being Saturday 7 January with a 3.00pm kick-off.

Chelsea were quite happy to play their match on Sunday but Portsmouth’s reluctance to agree has caused the delay.

The tickets should go on restricted sale on Monday. The prices have been set by Fulham and the Addicks will have up to 7,000 available. The phased sale is a little complex but here’s how it appears on the club site:

“Prices are £15 adult season-ticket holders and £20 other adults, £10 over 65s and U21s, and £1 U16s, although these will rise to £25 adults, £15 over 65s and U21s and £5 U16s for any tickets sold on the day.

“Under revised FA Cup rules, the visiting club no longer has to agree ticket prices, so these were set by Fulham.

“The initial sales eligibility will be Valley Gold season-ticket holders and VIPs, who can both buy one adult and one U16 ticket, and any season-ticket holder who has bought tickets to two away matches this season, up to the minimum number bought for both games.

“For avoidance of doubt, the eligible fixtures will include the pre-season friendly at Millwall and the forthcoming away matches at Walsall, Yeovil Town and Leyton Orient.

The second priority period will begin at 9am on Wednesday, and includes all remaining season-ticket holders (maximum of four per season ticket), plus other Valley Gold members and Jackson’s Five multi-ticket holders (maximum two).

“It will also include anyone else who purchased places for the second-round tie against Carlisle United and any non- season-ticket holder who has purchased tickets to two away games, in both cases up to the number bought for all the qualifying games.

“Remaining tickets will go on general sale at 9am on Saturday, December 17th, ahead of the home match against Oldham Athletic.

“In order to minimise congestion, they will not be sold from the west-stand commercial centre after 1pm until kick-off, but will be available from the north-stand ticket office instead, reverting to the commercial centre at the final whistle.”

Club Development officer, Rick Everitt explained the rationale behind the club’s strategy:

“We appreciate that this is a large allocation and that some people might question the need for any restrictions.”However, as well as protecting the priority groups, we have to spread the demand over a number of days to ensure that we are not swamped in the run-up to the Oldham game, which is also very busy because if the reduced prices.”

With the team in such good form, the feelgood factor around The Valley may see the club go close to shifting their entire allocation. Good luck to the hard working staff in the Commercial Centre.