Charlton play their first match since Russell Slade was sacked at the beginning of the week.
Until a new encumbent is installed in the Valley hot seat, Slade’s assistant, Kevin Nugent, will be in charge of team affairs.
The Addicks put in their most impressive performance of the season at Vale Park last month, despite the game ending in a draw.
Charlton dominated for large periods of the match, and should have been out of sight by half-time. Profligacy in front of goal cost them dear, and they were pegged back after conceding a late penalty.
Vale are just outside the play-off zone in seventh place, largely down to their impressive home record.
They are less potent on the road though, with one win and two draws from their eight games on the road.
The Addicks have won their last three games in all competitions at The Valley, and in normal circumstances they would be confident of extending that run.
Nugent has a number of injury problems to contend with before naming his side.
Both Chris Solly and Jason Pearce have been carrying knocks in recent weeks, but the duo should both be fit enough to play.
The caretaker boss will have Ademola Lookman available again, but Josh Magennis is ruled out after picking up a hamstring injury playing for Northern Ireland in the week.
Ricky Holmes’ foot injury is more serious than at first thought. He has a hairline fracture of the second metatarsal, and will be out until late January.
Holmes’ misfortune may open the door to DR Congo international, Jordan Botaka. Botaka has impressed in his brief cameo appearances, but has yet to start a game for Charlton.
Nugent may settle on this line-up:
Rudd; Solly, Bauer, Pearce, Fox; Botaka, Crofts, Ulvestad, Lookman; Novak, Ajose.
Subs: Phillips, Konsa, Teixeira, Lennon, Foley, Jackson, Hanlan.
The referee will be Richard Clark from Northumberland.
Much will depend on how successfully the team can put the traumatic events of the last few days behind them. It will also be interesting to see if Nugent plays a more positive game than Slade.
At their best, the Addicks would expect to win this game.
TAGS: Charlton Athletic