Charlton’s three year sojourn in League One saw them visit homely clubs such as Hartlepool, Leyton Orient and Notts County for their first away game of the season.

Back in the Championship, it is the relative splendour of Birmingham’s St Andrews where they begin their travels.

The Blues have had their own behind-the-scenes turmoil and lost insprirational manager, Chris Hughton, to Norwich in the summer. It will not have escaped the attention of the Birmingham fans that it was bitter rivals, Aston Villa, making a move for Norwich’s Paul Lambert that was the catalyst to Hughton’s departure.

Lee Clark is the new man at the helm and he will be expected to make a serious promotion bid with the likes of Jack Butland,Steven Caldwell, Curtis Davies, Ravel Morrison, Hayden Mullins, Darren Ambrose, Wade Elliott, Peter Lovenkrands and Marlon King at his disposal.

The Addicks will need to be more tacticaly astute this season, something Chris Powell recognises and the manager has experimented with 4-3-3, as well as a diamond shaped midfield in pre-season.

One of the pleasing aspects of Tuesday night’s display was the performance of Ben Hamer. Hamer underwent laser surgery on his eyes during the summer and was far more dominant on Tuesday, even clearing Leon Cort from his path on one occasion.

Hamer will be between the sticks with Chris Solly and Rhoys Wiggins occupying the full-back berths. Michael Morrison will be the central defensive rock, partnered by either Leon Cort or Matt Taylor. Cort would probably be Powell’s preference but he appeared to have a hamstring problem at the end of the Orient game and may be struggling to be fit in time.

Taylor is more likely to start with Friday morning’s signing, Dorian Dervite-Vaussoue, providing cover on the bench if Cort is unavailable.

The work ethic and neat passing of Bradley Pritchard, will probably see him start on the right of midfield in preference to either Scott Wagstaff or Danny Green. Skipper, Johnnie Jackson, will be on the left.

Dale Stephens was not involved on Tuesday but warranted he has no injury problems, he will fill one of the central berths. Danny Hollands has had a shorter pre-season preparation than the others due to undergoing toe surgery. He did come through 120 minutes on Tuesday, and if he suffered no after effects, Hollands’ greater defensive qualities will probably be preferred to the more expansive talents of Salim Kerkar.

Warranted Powell opts for his favoured 4-4-2 shape, Kermorgant and Wright-Phillips will resume the partnership at the front. Danny Haynes’ pace would be a useful asset but the pacy frontman is strugging with a knock and could miss out.

Charlton could start with this line-up:

Hamer; Solly, Taylor, Morrison, Wiggins; Pritchard, Stephens, Hollands, Jackson; Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips.

Subs: Sullivan, Wilson, Dervite, Wagstaff, Kerkar, Cook, Hayes.

The referee will be Gary Sutton from Lincolnshire.

Birmingham will be hot favourites to win and the Addicks will be hoping that their fantastic team ethic will allow them to grind out a result. Powell will be delighted to take something from the game.