MATCH PREVIEW | Middlesbrough v Charlton

Charlton will make the long trip to the Riverside Stadium to take on Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon (3pm) with Lee Bowyer looking to return to winning ways after a difficult, injury-ridden period.

Middlesbrough have only managed a single win in their last 12 games and currently sit in 20th place looking precariously into the relegation zone, with a single point separating them from the last relegation spot.

Charlton will continue to bear the burden of a long injury list but Bowyer will be relieved to have more firepower in the attacking department with Lyle Taylor and Chuks Aneke likely to return to the bench.

The Addicks have missed Taylor, whose early form this season saw him snatch five goals in six games, while Ben Purrington is expected to return after missing out last weekend through illness.

Elsewhere on the pitch, Charlton remain short on numbers with Jonny Williams, Josh Cullen, Jake Forster-Caskey, Sam Field, Tomer Hemed, Beram Kayal, George Lapslie, Lewis Page and Ben Amos all still unavailable, while Tom Lockyer will serve a one-match ban having picked up five yellow cards.

Bowyer does, however, have the option of new signing Joe Ledley, who is expected the make the journey north on Saturday.

Jonathan Woodgate has injury concerns of his own, with George Friend, Darren Randolph, Ryan Shotton, Paddy McNair and Marvin Johnson all unavailable through injuries or suspensions.

Former Addick Anfernee Dijksteel is also a doubt for the hosts with his knee injury being worse than initially thought. On the positive side for Boro, Britt Assombalonga is expected to feature and Rudy Gested and Marcus Browne could also make an appearance having returned to training this week.

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer: "It's never easy going there, it's a tough place to go, but we'll turn up and we'll try and do our best.

“We played together and travelled all over Europe together so, yeah. Looking forward to seeing Jonathan again on the weekend. Robbie Keane’s number two, obviously he was at Leeds as well when we played there so it will be nice to see them and it’s going to be a tough game.”

Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate: "I need every single one of my players to turn up on the day. They need to work as hard as they can to get that win against Charlton.

"Lee has done a really good job. They’ve slipped a bit of late but Lee is a really good manager and a really good person."

Charlton and Middlesbrough have played each other 104 times with the Addicks winning on 36 occasions and losing 43 while sharing 25 draws. .

Charlton's last win against Middlesbrough came the last time the two sides met at The Valley back in March 2016 when goals from Jorge Teixeira and Callum Harriot helped the Addicks to a 2-0 win.

Charlton's last victory at The Riverside came in August 2005, when Dennis Rommedahl, Chris Perry and Darren Bent all netted in a 3-0 win for the south-Londoners.

Stephen Martin will once again be involved with a Charlton match having already overseen the Addicks' 3-0 win over Derby County as referee and having been the Fourth Official in the 1-0 victory over Leeds United. Martin has dished out 27 yellow cards and a single red card in 10 Championship games this season.

Matthew McGrath and Paul Hodskinson will be the assistant referee's while Matthew Donohue will be the Fourth Official

460 Addicks have purchased tickets for the trip to the Riverside. Tickets will be available from the ground on the day at the visitors centre situated next to the away turnstiles at the prices below...

Supporters who are unable to make the journey can follow all the action through the club's usual channels, including live commentary on Valley Pass

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