This has been a disjointed pre-season and not the one that Bob Peeters would ideally have wanted.

Two games in Belgium, one a 45 minute affair, probably came too early for the Addicks. The traditional game at Welling was played in stifling heat before Charlton set off for La Cala in Spain.

The week long training camp encompassed two victories against modest opposition at a hotel complex.

The object of the exercise was, as always, to get the players to bond and get their fitness levels up to scratch.

Peeters drafted in a few players he thought needed more minutes under their belts in the development squad friendly at Ebbsfleet on Wednesday.

Doubtless there are still some moves – both in and out – to be finalised before the Addicks head for Griffin Park in a fortnight’s time, but Peeters will be moulding the team he wants to use at Brentford in the final three warm-up games.

First up will be a behind-closed-doors match against Southend at Sparrows Lane on Saturday. It is never ideal to play games at a training ground and it would have made more sense to play it at Roots Hall.

Ipswich were originally scheduled to play the Shrimpers on Wednesday of this week, with Queens Park Rangers travelling to Essex next Wednesday.

Southend offered a discount to fans who bought tickets for both games. Since the fixtures were originally announced, the Ipswich game has had to be pushed back until Tuesday of next week.

Two games in 24 hours is not what Phil Brown would have wanted and the Southend board may have felt that staging games on Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday would have been unfair on their fans. The Shrimpers’ groundsman may not have been overjoyed either.

Charlton were originally due to play Colchester next week but the clubs agreed to scrap the fixture after being paired together in the Capital One Cup.

Swindon were drafted in as replacements but the Robins called the game off and opted to entertain Leeds instead.

The Addicks will now head to Peterborough and Posh will provide just the type of opposition Peeters wants at this stage of his preparations. A good League One outfit, playing on their own ground, will provide a stern test for his team.

Normally, the final game before the season starts would be at home against a Premier League team or a good quality foreign side. Had the pitch not had to be renovated, it is likely that West Ham would have visited The Valley.

Instead, Peeters will take his side to Fratton Park to face Portsmouth next Saturday and he will want to play the team he has earmarked to start at Brentford a week later. He will probably only want to use three substitutes too. In short, Fratton Park will be a dress rehearsal for match against the Bees.

Moves and fresh injuries aside, what team might the new head coach have in mind?

He will have to decide between Stephen Henderson and Nick Pope for the goalkeeping spot. Peeters may go with the more experienced Henderson.

Chris Solly and Rhoys Wiggins are quality full-backs and pick themselves. Michael Morrison, Andre Bikey, Tal Ben Haim and young Joe Gomez will be vying for the central defensive berths, with Morrison and Ben Haim the probable favourites.

Peeters seems keen to play 4-4-2 with two wingers and a little and large combination up front.

Johann Gudmundsson and Callum Harriott look to be in pole position for the wide berths but there will be competition for the two slots in the engine room.

Popular skipper, Johnnie Jackson, could have a fight on his hands to be a regular starter this season. The energy of Jordan Cousins may be paired with the astute passing of Yoni Buyens in the middle of the park.

Up front, George Tucudean and Igor Vetokele look to be the first choice pairing.

Franck Moussa is still suffering with the back injury he picked up in Belgium at the beginning of the month. Peeters hope to have the former Coventry man available for Brentford, but a place on the bench is the best Moussa can realistically hope for at this stage.

Versatile Lawrie Wilson and Bikey look good bench options too. Simon Church and Reza Ghoochannejhad look to be the alternative front men. If Ghoochannejhad moves on, Peeters will want to bring a replacement in.

As things stand though, Peeters may regard this as his strongest line-up:

Henderson; Solly, Morrison, Ben Haim, Wiggins; Gudmundsson, Cousins, Buyens, Harriott; Tucudean, Vetokele.

Subs: Pope, Wilson, Bikey, Jackson, Moussa, Church, Ghoochannejhad.