Charlton got another home tie when the draw for the Second Round of the FA Cup was made on Monday evening.
The Addicks will face Milton Keynes Dons at The Valley on Saturday 3 December, unless the game has to be switched for tv coverage.
It is not the most glamorous of ties, but a win would open up the possibility of a financial windfall for the club. A plum Third Round tie has to be the club’s aim now.
Charlton head to Colchester on Tuesday for their final Checkatrade Trophy group match. The Addicks still have an outside chance of qualifying for the next stage of the competition, but they must at Colchester and hope that Crawley can do them a favour.
Southampton’s youngsters are two points ahead of Charlton with a superior goal difference. The Addicks really need Crawley to win at St Mary’s. If Saints win, or draw and win the penalty shoot-out, Charlton will be eliminated.
If Southampton draw and lose the shoot-out, a four goal win at Colchester would send the Addicks through.
Realistically, Russell Slade’s side need Crawley to win to progress to the next stage.
Should they lose at Colchester, Charlton will finish bottom of the group.
Slade is obliged to play five of the team that started against Scunthorpe, or five who will start at Swindon on Saturday.
The latter option may be the one Slade goes for. Lee Novak, Nicky Ajose, Kevin Foley, Andrew Crofts and Frederik Ulvestad may be the quintet who will start at both Colchester and Swindon.
The manager may use the game to give some minutes to some of his fringe players such as
Jorge Teixeira, Roger Johnson, Harry Lennon, Karlan Ahearne-Grant and Adam Chicksen. Dillon Phillips will be in goal.
Slade is likely to include some Under-23 regulars such as Joe Aribo, Aaron Barnes and Anfernee Dijksteel on the bench.
John Brooks from Leicestershire will be the referee.