Charlton make the trip to the bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they look to build on lat weekend's win over struggling Barnsley. Fellow survival-searchers Stoke stand as the Addicks' next opponents in another key fixture in Charlton's bid to remain in the Championship for next season.
The Potters have endured a difficult season thus far but have only lost one of their last five games which has left them now two points clear of the relegation zone. With Charlton just two points above Stoke, a win on Saturday would be a big leap in the right direction for Lee Bowyer's side who will be comforted with players returning from injuries as well as the new additions from the January transfer window.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of the game, Bowyer revealed that he is once again now having to deal with selection problems of the right kind. Saturday could also herald the debuts for Aiden McGeady and David Davis who signed in the window, while Matt Smith is expected to be given more time to gel in with the squad.
Lewis Page remains an absentee, but George Lapslie is returning to fitness having gained minutes for the U23s this week, while Macauley Bonne has returned to training, although the trip to Stoke will come too soon for the striker.
Despite performing well with the U23s, Bowyer has opted to allow Chuks Aneke to continue to gain his fitness with Jason Euell's side.
Stoke City are testing the fitness of Ryan Shawcross who has played a handful of games since his return from his pre-season injury. Tyrese Campbell is also expected to miss the game after suffering a hamstring injury,
Charlton Boss Lee Bowyer:"No game is bigger than the one before or the one after it. They’re all big games and no one will give you points in this division.
"It’s hard because, again, we’re going to a team like Stoke who are littered with Premier League players, so we'll have to work hard for it. If we do that, compete, do what we’re good at and move the ball quickly then we will always have a chance.
Stoke City Boss Michael O'Neill: "In the early part of the season the team was losing games here and that’s not a good recipe.
“But now we’ve only lost once here in the time I’ve been in and that was right at the end against Blackburn when we lost trying to win the game."
Charlton and Stoke have met 63 times with Charlton winning on 25 occasions including, most recently, at The Valley when goals from Lyle Taylor, Conor Gallagher and Chuks Aneke helped the Addicks to a 3-1 victory. Stoke have tasted victory just once more than the Addicks.
Charlton's last win against Stoke away from home was back in the February of 1998 when goals from John Robinson and Anthony Barness were enough to secure a 2-1 victory over the Potters.
The man with the whistle on Saturday will once again be Jarred Gillett who takes Charge of his third Charlton game this season having overseen our 2-0 win against Reading in August and our 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion last month. He has handed out two red cards and 68 yellow cards in 20 games this season.
He will be joined by assistants Steven Meredith and Mark Russell with Elliot Swallow as the fourth official.
Charlton will be cheered on by over 1,800 travelling Addicks but Stoke will not be selling tickets on the day, with tickets coming off sale at 1pm on Friday afternoon.
Supporters can follow all the build-up to the game on Charlton's official Instagram account, official Twitter account and Facebook page.
Live audio commentary of the game from Charlton commentators Terry Smith and Greg Stubley will be available on Valley Pass in all countries.