TEAM NEWS | Maiden league start for Joe Aribo at Southend United

George Jones reports from Roots Hall

Joe Aribo will make his first league start for Charlton in today’s New Year’s Eve clash at Southend United, as Karl Robinson makes two changes to his starting XI.

 The midfielder replaces Johnnie Jackson, who misses out with a hamstring injury, while Adam Chicksen also comes in in place of Ademola Lookman.

The Addicks’ team news in full sees Dillon Phillips retain his place in goal and he will be protected by the same back four that kept a clean sheet at MK Dons on Boxing Day.

Aribo, today’s captain Andrew Crofts and Fredrik Ulvestad will occupy central midfield berths, with Nicky Ajose, Adam Chicksen and Josh Magennis making up a front three.

Southend United: Smith, Wordsworth, Thompson, Timlin, Cox, McLaughlin, Atkinson, Fortune, Leonard, Demetriou, Ferdinand (c).

Subs: Bexon, White, O'Neil, King, McGlashan, Bridge, Ranger.

Charlton: Phillips, Konsa, Bauer, Teixeira, Fox, Crofts (c), Aribo, Ulvestad, Chicksen, Ajose, Magennis.

Subs: Mitov, Lennon, Johnson, Foley, Botaka, Umerah, Ahearne-Grant.