It will be a big night for Charlton, not just at The Valley but at the Galpharm and Hillsborough too on Tuesday.

The top six play each other and, for once, the fans will probably be in agreement. Victory for their team with the other two matches to end in draws will be the wish of many.

Currently, Charlton have 64 points from 28 games, Sheffield Wednesday 57 from 30, Sheffield United 56 from 28, Huddersfield 55 from 29, MK Dons 49 from 28 and Stevenage 45 from 27.

The surprise package has undoubtedly been Stevenage but the combination of having games to make up, losing inspirational manager, Graham Westley, and facing Spurs in a glamour FA Cup tie on Saturday, may open the door for Carlisle, Bournemouth or Brentford to snatch a play-off place. Fans of Huddersfield and Sheffield United will be hoping the Spurs match does not distract Stevenage at Hillsborough too much.

Wednesday are going through a difficult patch at the moment and a fully focused Stevenage would present them with a major challenge. The Owls have been very vulnerable to free-kicks of recent times and Exeter took full advantage of this frailty on Saturday.

Huddersfield and Sheffield United probably have more realistic chances of getting promoted automatically but the Terriers will view the game against the Blades as one they must win. A Sheffield United win would see them go four points clear of their rivals with a game in hand.

Ring rustiness may affect Charlton and MK Dons and much could depend upon how much training the two sides have been able to do. The Dons have a decent away record, winning 7 and drawing 4 of their 15 matches on the road. Boosted by the arrival of Alan Smith and with rumours thst David Bentley may soon join him, Karl Robinson’s side have serious ambitions to get promoted.

Like Huddersfield, the Dons will see the game at The Valley as one they have to win to keep the dream alive. With a solid defence as the bedrock of their success, patience will be a virtue in Charlton’s quest for another three points.