Blackburn will come to The Valley without a manager on Saturday after Steve Kean decided to step down on Friday.

Blackburn was where Charlton sealed the Championship title back in 2000 and more recently, in April 2007, the Addicks provided free coach travel for ‘Operation Ewood’.

The fleet of coaches helped fans fill the away end for a vital match in Charlton’s battle to stay in the Premier League. A Darren Bent consolation was the only bright spot in a 4-1 drubbing that all but extinguished the club’s survival hopes.

Rovers have had their fair share of behind the scenes problems to accompany their relegation. The board is unpopular and even a good start did not quell the fans’ desire to see Steve Kean replaced as manager. Kean resigned on Friday evening  and Tim Sherwood is allegedly being lined up to take over at the helm.

Former Addick, Danny Murphy, will pull the strings in midfield and Rovers will look to the prolific Jordan Rhodes to fire them to victory.

Chris Powell will be buoyed by last week’s win at Ipswich but has hinted that there could be changes to his starting line-up.

Powell explained his reasoning behind the decision to play Chris Solly, rather than Cedric Evina, at left-back during his press conference on Thursday but it was not totally convincing. With Yann Kermorgant on the long term injury list and the Addicks only having limited funds available, bringing a striker in is now the priority.

Powell will be hopeful of securing a player before the Blackburn game and this may mean he is unable to bring in Fulham left-back, Matthew Briggs, for the time being. The manager will have to decide whether to start with Evina to balance his back line balance, or to persevere with Solly on the left and Lawrie Wilson at right-back.

Blackburn’s problems should enhance Charlton’s chances of a win but they need to field their best side. Little has been seen of Solly’s trademark attacking forays in the last two games and with Evina also a potent attacking threat, Powell will need to consider his options carefully.

Johnnie Jackson’s switch to the middle at Portman Road seemed to suit him more and Salim Kerkar added natural width on the left. Kerkar faded in the second half but will be stronger for the outing.

Ricardo Fuller impressed but is still not completely match fit and Powell will be anxious not to over use him.

Charlton could start with this line-up:

Hamer; Solly, Cort, Morrison, Evina; Green, Stephens, Jackson, Kerkar; Fuller, Wright-Phillips.

Subs: Button, Wilson, Dervite, Pritchard, Hollands, Wagstaff, Haynes.

The referee will be Darren Deadman from Cambridgeshire.

Blackburn will start favourites but Powell will be hoping to continue the momentum from Portman Road.