Preston are enjoying a renaissance under Alex Neil, and after Saturday’s matches they were fourth  in the table. The Addicks are down in tenth place, but a win would put them level on points with their visitors.

North End refused Stoke – who sacked Nathan Jones yesterday – permission to talk to Neil about the vacancy.

It will be Patrick Bauer’s first return to The Valley since he departed for Deepdale in the summer.

Charlton willl be hoping that the speculation surrounding Neil will distract Preston.

The Addicks will be without. Sam Field, Jake Forster-Caskey, Tomer Hemed, Adam Matthews, Lyle Taylor and Jonny Williams, but Jonathan Leko can return.

Lee Bowyer had this to say about the game:

“They’re a good side. The manager has done a good job there and he’s made sure that they have become a good Championship side. They’re sitting in second and deservedly so. Every point in this division, you have to earn.”

It is likely that Bowyer will send out this team:

Phillips; ‎ Solly, Lockyer, Sarr, Purrington; Pratley, Cullen, Gallagher, Oztumer; Leko, Bonne.
‎Subs: Maynard-Brewer, Pearce,  Oshilaja, Doughty, Kayal, Aneke, Davison

David Webb willl be the referee.

After last week’s battling display at the Hawthorns, Bowyer will be confident his team will put on a good performance in front of the Sky cameras.