Championship clubs will play seven games in February. Lee Bowyer will be pleased with his team’s schedule for the month, but‎ they must make the most of their opportunities.

Following Stoke’s 2-1 ‎win over Swansea on Saturday, Lee Bowyer’s team slipped to 20th in the table. 

Only Huddersfield – a point behind with a game in hand – stand between them and the relegation places.

Barnsley and Luton – promoted with Charlton last season – and Wigan, who went up a year earlier – make up the bottom three.

The Championship is effectively Premier League Two these days, and there is a real chasm in quality for promoted League One sides to bridge.

The Addicks play three of the team’s below them – Barnsley, Huddersfield and Luton next month. ‎Barnsley and Luton visit The Valley, with Bowyer’s men travelling to the John Smith’s on the last day of the month.

These are crucial games that Charlton need to win if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation dogfight. The Addicks also travel to Stoke – who leapfrogged them on Saturday -‎ next month.

‎It they could somehow fashion a win in these games, it would go a long way to ensuring their safety.

Visits to mid-table sides, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday, complete the February schedule.

So the Charlton have a golden opportunity to gather a rich harvest of points during the month. Most of the long term injured players are back in training now, and they will hopefully be bolstered by some new faces this week.

The last home game of the season is against Wigan, followed by the season’s finale a week later at Leeds.

It would be nice if fans were spared the nail biting tension of needing something ‎from those games to ensure survival.