Charlton Athletic take on Bury at The Valley on Tuesday night looking to extend their lead at the top of League One.
As well as the game at The Valley, Charlton fans will be interested in events in Buckinghamshire, where MK Dons take on Sheffield Wednesday. Victory for the Dons would give them real belief that they can snatch an automatic promotion spot.
Bury had been on a decent little run but have now lost their last two games, including a 3-0 reverse at local rivals, Rochdale, on Saturday.
Chris Powell has been impressed by his team’s battling qualities and character recently but will be hoping they can now turn on the style a bit.
Bradley Wright-Phillips’ goal drought stretches back eleven games in all competitions, with Yann Kermorgant also being without a goal since Boxing Day’s match at Yeovil.
Dale Stephens returned as a second half substitute on Saturday and looked composed and assured. Stephens is a quality player and the most creative cental midfielder at the club. Powell will have to decide whether to include him from the start or stick with Bradley Pritchard. Pritchard has done nothing wrong but Stephens is a better player.
The ammunition he is able to supply the front line with should start the goals flowing again. Ironically, while the Addicks front men have struggled, young Michael Smith – currently on loan at Accrington – bagged a first half hat-trick against Gillingham at the weekend.
Powell will probably stick with an unchanged team so Stephens may have to wait a little longer for his return to the starting line-up.
Charlton could look like this:
Hamer; Solly, Taylor, Morrison, Wiggins; Green, Pritchard, Hollands, Jackson; Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips.
Subs: Sullivan, Cort, Stephens, Clarke, Haynes.
The referee will be Andy D’Urso from Billericay.
The Addicks will be hot favourites to continue their winning streak and Powell will ensure they stay focused. In an ideal world, the manager would like to see the game put to bed early enough for Dale Stephens to get some meaningful game time.
The classy midfielder’s return to the fold will give the promotion push a real boost.