Table topping Cardiff arrive at The Valley having lost their last two away games, at Nottingham Forest and Bolton. The Bluebirds have won just twice on their travels, drawing once and losing four times. 

Cardiff controversially adopted a red strip for this season. It has served them well, their nine league victories have all come when they have worn the new kit. Conversely, they have lost every time they have worn their traditional blue, which is now their change kit.

Former Addick, Mark Hudson, will skipper the Welsh side and Peter Whittingham will provide plenty of threat from midfield.

Lawrie Wilson joined the injury list on Saturday and Chris Powell will have to decide between Pritchard, Green or Cook to come in on the right.

If the manager opts for Pritchard, it may open the door for fit again Dale Stephens to start.

Both Cort and Morrison had poor games against Middlesbrough but are likely to keep their places. Matt Taylor is fit again and his leadership qualities would be a valuable asset at the moment. It is perhaps significant that the club have not raided the loan market to bring in at least a left-back. In the absence of any late new arrival, Salim Kerkar is likely to continue in the back line.

Bradley Wright-Phillips will probably partner Rob Hulse if Powell decides on a 4-4-2 starting shape, though Danny Haynes will be pressing for a starting berth.

The Addicks could start with this line-up:

Hamer; Solly, Cort, Morrison, Kerkar; Pritchard, Dervite, Stephens, Jackson; Hulse, Wright-Phillips.

Subs: Button, Taylor, Green, Hollands, Harriott, Cook, Haynes.

Keith Stroud from Hampshire will be the referee.

The pressure is mounting on Chris Powell and his in game decisions will have an effect on the outcome. On Saturday, Powell switched Pritchard – who was having a fine game – from his central midfield berth to wide right, where he was not as effective. Johnnie Jackson had a poor game but played all 90 minutes of the match.

The manager needs to be brave and make any changes early enough for them to influence the game.

Cardiff have an inferior away record to bottom club Ipswich. Charlton have also taken more points on their travels than their visitors.

So a club with a poor home record playing one with a poor away recird, something has to give.