Carlisle will pose a different challenge to those that the Addicks have faced of recent times.

Greg Abbott likes to use a narrow diamond formation in midfield which could make the middle of the park congested.

The system does offer the Cumbrians’ opponents room on the flanks to attack, so although Stephens and Hollands could be resticted, Green – or Wagstaff – and Jackson, should have plenty of space to expoloit.

After a disappointing run of performances, Chris Powell will be keen to see his team not only win, but win in style. He will have a number of decisions to make before naming his team.

A football team is built around a series of partnerships, the right-back and right sided midfielder, the same on the left, the two central defenders, the central midfield duo and the two strikers.

Powell has opted to disrupt some of these partnerships recently. Green has replaced Wagstaff and at Stevenage, Michael Morrison was switched to the right, which in turn ended his partnership with Matt Taylor. Leon Cort came into the heart of the defence and had a good game, thus giving Powell a problem.

Chris Solly, one of the better players of recent weeks, is likely to be restored to the right-back berth, leaving Morrison and Cort contesting a spot in the middle.

Yann Kermorgant has made an impact as a sub but his inclusion from the start has led to the team playing a more direct style. Carlisle play more football than recent opponents which will suit Charlton. The Cumbrians style may also lead to Paul Hayes being restored to the attack.

Skipper, Johnnie Jackson, is expecting a tough game but was upbeat about the team’s chances:

“I’m expecting a tough game and they won comfortably 3-0 last weekend away from home, but they’re a good side that likes to pass and they’re quite attacking.

“That may suit us as a side which wants to play instead of wanting to stop other teams but they’ve got some players we need to look out for.

“We’ve done a bit of work on them and we’ll be prepared for what they’ve got. It’s important that we get back to the way we were playing earlier in the season at The Valley.

“The fans have been great but after last Saturday, I think it was little bit doom and gloom for a while, thinking the run had come to an end.

“We’re still top of the league though and have lost just one game in 13, so anyone would have taken that if it was offered at the start of the season.

“It’s important to remember those things. Not winning in two games is a slight concern but these things happen and we’ve gone away on the road and got good results.

“We want to win them all but obviously we’re not going to, so Saturday is a good chance to put it right again,” said the skipper.

Powell may start with this line-up:

Hamer; Solly, Taylor, Morrison, Wiggins; Green, Stephens, Hollands, Jackson; Hayes, Wright-Phillips.

Subs: Sullivan, Evina, Cort, Wagstaff, Kermorgant.

The referee will be Darren Sheldrake from Surrey.

Charlton will be anxious to return to winning ways but must guard against becoming edgy if things do not go their way. The crowd’s encouragement could be a vital component.