100 (AND A BIT) YEARS OF PRIDE & PASSION

A bid by a consortium headed by former Charlton striker, Jim Melrose, has been accepted by the administrator at Edgeley Park, so hope for the future for the Hatters.

Clearly the weakest side in this league at the start of the season, they have been further depleted by the departures of some of their better players in January. They have been replaced by loanees with Plymouth's George Donnelly netting twice in a heart-stopping 4-3 win over Wycombe last week. Stockport led 4-0 with little more than twenty minutes to go but were left clinging on at the end.

Their away form has been marginally better than their home form with victories being achieved at Brighton, Exeter and Tranmere. They have also drawn four games on the road, three of them finishing 0-0 including the game at Huddersfield.

Nevertheless, it would be a surprise if Charlton did not overcome Gary Ablett's team with a bit to spare. PhilParkinson will be looking for a more convincing show, particuarly in front of goal, than he got at Southend though.

An uncharacteristic howler from Rob Elliot gifted the Shrimpers the lead. The young custodian seems fireproof, with the manager seemingly unwilling to give Darren Randolph an opportunity to show what he can do.

At the back, Manuel Llera has impressed since his return to the team and he will again keep Sam Sodje on the bench. Another to impress has been loanee Johnnie Jackson and Parkinson is anxious to extend his stay at The Valley.

In midfield, the blistering pace of last week's match winner, Kyel Reid, will probably be restored to the starting line-up. The trickery of Sam on the right-flank will likely be supplemented by Racon and Bailey in the middle with Jose Semedo dropping to the bench.

Burton may not be risked up front. The physical presence of Akpo Sodje will probably again be harnessed to David Mooney. Mooney has been unimpressive in his three starts since being restored to the team but Parkinson seems reluctant to start with Leon McKenzie. Southend was McKenzie's fourteenth consecutive match on the bench and he has yet to make a start for the club.

Another player out of favour is experienced midfielder Matt Spring who, despite the club's patchy form, has failed to even make the bench for the last seven games.

The team may look something like this: Elliot; Richardson, Dailly, Llera, Jackson; Sam, Racon, Bailey, Reid; Akpo Sodje, Mooney.

Subs: Randolph, Solly, Sam Sodje, Semedo, Wagstaff, Shelvey, McKenzie.

The referee will be Hampshire's Keith Stroud.

Charlton will have this game earmarked for three points and they should gain the spoils.

Elsewhere it is reported that Swindon have asked about the availability of Yassin Moutaouakil. The club have been trying to move the defender on for nearly a year now but his reputed £8,000 a week salary is proving a real stumbling block.

Certainly if he is allowed to join Swindon on loan the Addicks will still be playing the lion's share of his wages. It would be an act of folly to do that, why aid a close rival's promotion bid? Given that Moutapuakil is contracted until the summer of 2011, perhaps the time has come to consider rehabilitatating the talented full-back.

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