It was something of a shock to read that Roland Duchatelet was planning to hold a press conference next week.

Duchatelet is not known as a great communicator in his native Belgium. Things on the pitch have not gone well since the takeover – the Addicks have lost all four of their league games -and players of the calibre of Dale Stephens, Ben Alnwick and Yann Kermorgant have been sold.

There could be searching questions asked of 67-year-old Duchatelet and the question has to be, why is he doing it?

The most likely answer is the conference will coincide with some good news, almost certainly the arrival of some high profile loan players. The date for the press session has not been confirmed, which is another indication it is being timed to coincide with news that will put a smile on the faces of the fans.

Another thing that would please the fans is if the Addicks can progress to the sixth round of the FA Cup at the expense of Sheffield Wednesday.

Sheffield United’s game with Brentford on Wednesday had to be called off due to the Bramall Lane pitch being waterlogged. With torrential rain across the country forecast for Friday, there must be a real risk that conditions at both Bramall Lane and Hillsborough will make it impossible for the Sheffield duo’s cup-ties with Nottingham Forest and Charlton to go ahead.

The Owls managed to stage their match with Wigan on Tuesday evening but lost 3-0. Wednesday have improved since Stuart Gray took over at the helm and have plenty of pace in forward areas. They do have injury concerns though and Chris Powell will fancy his team’s chances of getting a result.

Yohann Thuram-Ulien is the only option between the sticks for Charlton at present and Lawrie Wilson and Cedric Evina are likely to flank former Wednesday pair, Michael Morrison and Richard Wood, in defence.

Powell may persevere with his diamond midfield of Diego Poyet, Jordan Cousins, Johnnie Jackson and Astrit Ajdarevic.

Marvin Sordell and Reza Ghoochannejhad will probably be the front two though Simon Church and Piotr Parzyszek will be pressing for a starting berth.

Charlton could line-up like this:

Thuram-Ulien; Wilson, Morrison, Wood, Evina; Poyet, Cousins, Jackson, Ajdarevic; Sordell, Ghoochannejhad.

Subs: Phillips, Nego, Dervite, Green, Pritchard, Church, Parzyszek.

Top Premier League whistler, Mark Clattenburg from County Durham, will be the man in charge.

Probably the last result either team want is a draw but it would be no surprise if the game did end in stalemate.