Watford’s controversial recruitment policy of last season brought about a change in the rules regarding loan players.

Loanees from foreign clubs are now subject to the same restrictions – number wise – as those from English clubs.

Nevertheless, Watford have retained the nucleus of the squad that lost to Palace in the Play-Off Final and the Hornets will be looking to go one better this season.

Zola’s team are currently just outside the play-off zone and have won one and drawn one of their two games at Vicarage Road.

After an opening day win over Charlton, Bournemouth were thumped 6-1 when they visited Watford the following week. Nottingham Forest managed a 1-1 draw when they visited Hertfordshire.

The Addicks got their first win of the season against Leicester last time out and will be hoping to repeat the win they achieved at this ground on New Year’s Day.

Chris Powell is likely to stick with his 3-5-2 formation but will have one or two decisions to make.

Chris Solly is fit again and will be vying with Lawrie Wilson for the wide right midfield berth. The role suits Wilson and with matches at Huddersfield at on Tuesday, and against Millwall next Saturday, Powell may give Solly a little longer to recover.

New signings, Ben Alnwick and Cameron Stewart will come into the equation but may have to settle for spots on the bench for this game.

Michael Morrison, Leon Cort and Dorian Dervite look set to continue at the back, as do Yann Kermorgant and Simon Church at the front.

The Addicks could look like this:

Hamer; Morrison, Cort, Dervite; Wilson, Pritchard, Stephens, Jackson, Wiggins; Kermorgant, Church.

Subs: Alnwick, Solly, Evina, Gower, Stewart, Harriott, Sordell.

The referee will be Andy Woolmer from Northamptonshire.

Powell will be anxious to carry the momentum from the Leicester game forward but would probably be happy with a point. The Addicks will be backed by a sizeable following and those fans will do their best to inspire their team. It will be a tough afternoon.