Aitor Karanka has turned Middlesbrough’s fortunes around since replacing club legend, Tony Mowbray, at the helm in October.

The significance of the move may have been noticed by new Charlton owner, Roland Duchatelet. Hugely popular with the fans, Chris Powell needs to string a run of results together to safeguard his future.

Boro are unbeaten in their last six league games and defeated Burnley and Reading in their last two fixtures at the Riverside.

Former Addicks target, Albert Adomah, will supply plenty of service from the flank and experienced keeper, Shay Given, is Boro’s last line of defence.

It is over two weeks since Charlton played a league game but they are about to enter a really busy period. Powell will have some decisions to make about the composition of his side.

Michael Smith is available and Ben Hamer made his comeback against Oxford in the week. Astrit Ajdarevic is eligible for this game, as is new arrival, Yohann Thuram-Ulien.

Both Chris Solly and Dale Stephens should be fit for selection and Powell may be happier playing them on the much better Riverside pitch.

Ben Alnwick has been impressive in Hamer’s absence and his penalty save was instrumental in Charlton taking a point from the Ipswich game. Alnwick would feel hard done by if he lost his place.

Solly is likely to return at right-back, enabling Powell to field his first choice back-four. Lawrie Wilson will push forward into midfield and will probably have Jordan Cousins and Dale Stephens inside him. Powell may opt to give Jordan Cook another start on the left, though Callum Harriott and Johnnie Jackson are also options.

Simon Church and Yann Kermorgant are the likely front pairing.

Charlton could look like this:

Alnwick; Solly, Morrison, Wood, Wiggins; Wilson, Cousins, Stephens, Cook; Kermorgant, Church.

Subs: Hamer, Evina, Dervite, Green, Ajdarevic, Jackson, Pigott.

Keith Stroud will make the long trip from Hampshire to take charge of the game.

This is the type of game where any sort of a result will be considered a bonus.