Charlton will play at The Valley for the first time this season on Saturday, and will be hoping to gain their first win of the new campaign against Northampton.
Russell Slade fielded seven debutants at Bury last week, and there will be more this week. As always it seems, the Addicks have a number of injury concerns, but the manager will still be able to field a strong side.
Declan Rudd is a class act in goal, as his eleven Premier League appearances last term illustrate.
Chris Solly was rested at Cheltenham on Tuesday – as was Jason Pearce – but both seem certain to return to the starting line-up, despite an impressive debut performance by Ezri Konsa.
Roger Johnson and Morgan Fox will complete an experienced back line.
Ricky Holmes suffered a foot injury at Cheltenham, but is expected to be fit enough to face his old team.
Ademola Lookman and new boy, Jordan Botaka, will vie for the other wide berth, with Andrew Crofts and Johnnie Jackson being the likely engine room duo.
Lee Novak played with a protective cast on his hand at Bury, but did not look at his best, and was not involved at Whaddon Road.
Another new boy, Josh Magennis, seems likely to come in for his debut, and will partner Nicky Ajose up front.
Magennis is a real physical presence, and will provide pace and power. Ajose had a couple
of chances on Tuesday but snatched at them a bit. He is a natural finisher though, and will be keen to score on his first home appearance.
The Addicks could line-up like this:
Rudd; Solly, Johnson, Pearce, Fox; Holmes, Crofts, Jackson, Botaka; Magennis, Ajose.
Subs: Phillips, Holmes-Dennis, Konsa, Foley, Lookman, Novak, Hanlan.
The referee will be Darren England from South Yorkshire.
Slade has now injected pace and power into his squad, and has creativity in wide areas. He will be confident of opening his Valley account with a win.
TAGS: Charlton Athletic