A crucial match for both teams, with only Peterborough below them in the table.

The Tractor Boys have lost four of their last five games in all competitions, including a 6-0 drubbing at Blackpool. They have yet to win at Portman Road, though Wednesday’s 0-2 reverse to Wolves, was their first defeat at home this season. Their other two home games resulted in draws.

Paul Jewell’s outfit have plenty of firepower with the likes of Jason Scotland, Nathan Ellington, Michael Chopra and recent big money signing, Paul Taylor, in their ranks.

Former Addicks loanee, Lee Martin, is likely to be in the Ipswich line-up and will have to be watched.

Many were surprised that Powell opted to play Solly on the left at Derby and confine Cedric Evina to the bench. With Johnnie Jackson and Danny Hollands struggling for form, Charlton were weak on the left until the introduction of Salim Kerkar.

The South London Press are reporting that the Addicks have contacted Fulham about the possibility of bringing Matthew Briggs in on loan to cover for Wiggins’ absence. Clearly the manager does not fancy Evina, so if Briggs is not signed in time, Solly may continue on the left with Wilson again taking his place on the right.

Midfield has been a real problem this season and Powell will be pondering his options. The Tractor Boys could well play with three front runners and Powell has hinted that Ricardo Fuller could start, so the Addicks could also adopt a 4-3-3 formation.

Stephens had a poor game at Derby but would likely be the central player in a midfield three. Green was Charlton’s best player at Pride Park and looks assured of a starting berth. Salim Kerkar impressed when introduced at Forest and Derby and appears the logical choice to play on the left.

Is the manager brave enough to drop both Hollands and Jackson though? Powell is naturally cautious and will probably prefer to start with a 4-4-2 shape. It gives him the option of playing Jackson in a more central role and if he wishes to change the shape to 4-3-3 during the game, Kerkar could be deployed further forward.

Kermorgant and Wright-Phillips will be the probable front two.

Danny Haynes and Scott Wagstaff played in the midweek reserve friendly but this game may come too soon for them to be considered for bench slots. Jordan Cook is still sidelined with an eye ulcer and will also be missing.

Charlton may look like this:

Hamer; Wilson, Cort, Morrison, Solly; Green, Stephens, Jackson, Kerkar; Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips.

Subs: Button, Evina, Dervite, Pritchard, Hollands, Fuller, Smith.

Premiership whistler, Martin Atkinson from West Yorkshire, will be the referee.

Both managers will view this as a game they should take three points from. With table-toppers Blackburn Rovers coming up next, this is a fixture the visitors desperately need to get some sort of result from.