Charlton have failed to win any of their last nine away games in the Championship, a run that goes back to last March, when they beat Blackpool 3-0.

Guy Luzon’s side are currently on a six match winless streak – home and away – in the league, so three points are long overdue. The question is, when is that elusive away win likely to come?

The two away games this month could hardly be tougher. After travelling to the Madejski to face third place Reading on Saturday, the Addicks will play second place Middlesbrough on the last day of the month.

Reading are in sparkling form at the moment, winning their last three games at Bristol City and Burnley, and most recently, they defeated Middlesbrough at the Madejski.

Before that defeat at Reading, Boro had won their previous seven games in all competitions.

Luzon may have more options at his disposal on Saturday. Long term absentee, Stephen Henderson, is expected to be fit enough to play his first game of the season. Whether to put the Irishman back in without a warm-up game, is something the head coach will have to give some thought to.

Simon Makienok is pivotal to Charlton’s attacking strategy, but the Dane has been troubled with hamstring niggles of recent weeks. Makienok is expected to return at Reading.

Ahmed Kashi is another who could be back, after missing the Fulham game with an ankle problem.

The beauty of football is its glorious uncertainty, but Addicks fans will travel with hope more than expectation to these two games.

November and December appear to offer a couple of good opportunities for away wins.

The South Londoners make the short trip to Milton Keynes on the first Tuesday of next month. Karl Robinson’s team have found the Championship difficult to adjust to, and they currently occupy one of the relegation places.

After Milton Keynes, Charlton have three difficult games on the road in the run up to Christmas. Birmingham, Brighton and Burnley will all expect to take maximum points from Luzon’s team.

The Addicks will face a lengthy Boxing Day journey, when they travel to Ashton Gate for the encounter with Bristol City.

Ashton Gate is undergoing redevelopment and away fans are currently housed in part of the Ateyo Stand, at the other end of the ground to the one they normally occupy.

Charlton fans who make the trip, will have real hopes of a late Christmas present.