Chris Powell could hardly have a more difficult task as he aims to get his side back to winning ways on Saturday.

The trip to Queens Park Rangers is as tough as it gets, the high flying Hoops are in third spot with an impressive record of six wins and a draw from their seven games at Loftus Road.

They have conceded just two goals at Loftus Road all season and Charlton will have to be at their best to breach the Rangers rear guard.

Perhaps the most surprising thing about the season so far for Harry Redknapp’s team is their lack of goals. They have won most games by a narrow margin but the side is oozing with class from Robert Green in goal right through to the prolific Charlie Austin up front.

Bette noir, Joey Barton, is enjoying a fine season as Redknapp’s midfield enforcer.

Powell will have to decide on the shape he wishes to deploy and this will depend to some extent on the fitness of Richard Wood and Yann Kermorgant. Wood is likely to be in contention but has not played for a month. The fact that he did not figure in the friendly against Watford, suggests Powell may not risk him just yet.

Kermorgant came on as a substitute against Leeds and will be vying for a spot up front. If Wood is not considered fit enough to start, Powell will be unable to play 3-5-2 so may opt for a containing 4-5-1 line-up.

The Addicks could look like this:

Hamer; Wilson, Morrison, Dervite, Wiggins; Pritchard, Stephens, Cousins, Jackson, Stewart; Church.

Subs: Alnwick, Evina, Lennon, Hughes, Harriott, Kermorgant, Sordell.

Dean Whitestone from Surrey will be the man in the middle.

Charlton will regard any sort of result as a bonus.