After a deal had been agreed to bring West Ham’s talented youngster, Reece Oxford, to The Valley for the rest of the season, it is reported that Jose Riga scrapped the move.

Apparently, Riga does not know enough about the player. On Thursday evening, there were hopes that the move could be revived.

Oxford is a classy player and would be an asset for Riga. Hopefully, he will still come to Charlton.

Tony Watt’s brief return to The Valley is over, he is due to complete his switch to Blackburn until the end of the season on Friday. Paul Lambert will be hoping the move does not encounter the same problems as Oxford’s.

Riga has had another week to work with his squad ahead of this vital match. The head coach is unlikely to tinker too much with either his tactics or personnel.

Riga seems certain to stick with his tried and trusted 4-4-2 shape, a system the players are comfortable with.

Stephen Henderson will continue in goal, with Chris Solly and Morgan Fox as the full-backs. Jorge Teixeira and Harry Lennon filled the central defensive berths last week, and are likely to continue.

Roger Johnson dropped to the bench for the Blackburn game, and Naby Sarr was left out altogether. Rhys Williams’ loan has ended and he has returned to Middlesbrough.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson has had a disappointing season, but is likely to continue on the right of midfield.

Jordan Cousins and Johnnie Jackson will probably continue in the engine room, and Riga may persist with Zakaraya Bergdich on the left, though Ademola Lookman could be fit.

Igor Vetokele looked sharp against Blackburn, but will have a new partner at Rotherham. Tony Watt is expected to go to Ewood Park on loan on Friday, so Reza Ghoochannejhad, Simon Makienok and Ricardo Vaz Te will come into contention.

Charlton may line-up something like this:

Henderson; Solly, Teixeira, Lennon, Fox; Gudmundsson, Cousins, Jackson, Bergdich; Makienok, Veokele.

Subs: Pope, Johnson, Poyet, Ba, Harriott, Lookman, Ghoochannejhad.

The referee will be Hampshire’s Keith Stroud.

The Addicks desperately need to win this game, as well at next week’s encounter with Bristol City at The Valley.

Defeat at Rotherham would leave Charlton with the steepest of mountains to climb. It is simply a game they have to win.