Off field activities are likely to overshadow events on the pitch on Sunday.

Charlton fans will stage a mock funeral on Sunday in protest against the club’s owner, Roland Duchatelet, and chief executive, Katrien Meire. The cortege will leave the Liberal club at 2.45pm.

Other protests mentioned include the releasing of black and white balloons and a pitch invasion.

On the pitch, Jose Riga has a number of issues to contend with, especially up front. Yaya Sanogo will serve the first match of his three game ban, while Simon Makienok is short of confidence and had a poor game against Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday.

Riga is not spoiled for options though, and may opt for a five man defence or midfield to try to stifle Boro.

Nick Pope is again likely to be preferred to Stephen Henderson in goal.

Marco Motta and Morgan Fox are the probable full-backs, with Jorge Teixeira being in the middle. Harry Lennon is available again after suspension and gives natural balance. Rod Fanni could retain his place if Riga goes for an extra man in defence.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Jordan Cousins, Diego Poyet and Yun Suk-Young are the most likely midfield quartet.

Gudmundsson may push on to support Callum Harriott up top, when the hosts are attacking. The Addicks may look like this:

Pope; Motta, Fanni, Teixeira, Lennon, Fox; Gudmundsson, Cousins, Poyet, Yun; Harriott.

Subs: Mitov, Johnson, Holmes-Dennis, Bergdich, Lookman, Makienok, Ghoochannejhad.

The referee will be Darren Deadman from Cambridge.

Though currently second, Boro have been in indifferent form on the road, with two draws and three defeats from their last six away games.

Their cause will not be helped by Aitor Karanka’s absence. Karanka is considering his future at the Riverside, and his assistant, Steve Agnew, will take the reins on Sunday.

Had Charlton managed to beat MK Dons in the week, the momentum would have given them a real chance. Much will depend on how the sides deal with the atmosphere inside the stadium.