Charlton are back in action for the first time in a fortnight on New Year’s Day (3pm) as Wycombe Wanderers visit The Valley.
The Addicks will be looking to kick-off 2022 in style by maintaining Johnnie Jackson’s exceptional home league record, having already amassed 13 points from a possible 15 in SE7 under the 39-year-old’s tutelage.
TEAM NEWS
Speaking in his Thursday press conference, the Charlton boss confirmed Adam Matthews (calf) and Corey Blackett-Taylor (hamstring) have both returned to full training, while Ryan Inniss (quad) came through unscathed after featuring for the first time in almost four months at Plymouth Argyle.
Sam Lavelle (groin) and Jake Forster-Caskey (ACL) remain absent, though Jackson hopes to have the former back with the group next week.
Chairboys duo Ryan Tafazolli and Dominic Gape will both be assessed having missed out in midweek with knocks, but long-term absentee Nick Freeman (knee) remains sidelined.
Elsewhere, former Addick Sullay Kaikai is also unavailable as he continues to prepare for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations with Sierra Leone.
THE OPPOSITION
Wycombe suffered a 1-0 reverse at Ipswich Town on Wednesday in what was the Chairboys’ first outing in 18 days following a series of postponements.
That result leaves Gareth Ainsworth’s side occupying sixth spot in the third tier, five points adrift of second-placed Rotherham United.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Charlton and Wycombe have squared off on eight previous occasions with the Addicks winning six and the Chairboys two.
The Buckinghamshire side tasted victory in the reverse fixture at Adams Park in September thanks to a Garath McCleary brace either side of half-time, despite Lavelle heading home his maiden Charlton goal deep into stoppage time.
The Chairboys’ last visit to The Valley, meanwhile, marked Lee Bowyer’s first game as permanent Charlton manager in September 2018. Having fallen behind to Randell Williams’ early opener, the Addicks levelled proceedings on 32 minutes courtesy of a Sido Jombati own goal before netting two goals in nine minutes through Lyle Taylor and Naby Sarr. And although substitute Paris Cowan-Hall reduced the visitors’ arrears on 90 minutes, the Addicks held firm to prevail in SE7.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Paul Howard will be the man in the middle on Saturday afternoon. The official last refereed a Charlton fixture in March 2021 - a 2-1 win against Northampton Town at The Valley.
Howard will be assisted by Declan O’Shea and Paul Yates, while Andy Bennett is the Fourth Official.
OTHER INFO
Following the pre-Christmas updates from the government and EFL, new Covid guidelines will be in place for games at The Valley, starting with Saturday’s clash against Wycombe. Please click here for more information.
Tickets are still available for the Addicks’ first fixture of 2022 - click here to secure yours!
Supporters outside of the UK and Ireland can watch every kick of action live on CharltonTV, with former Addicks midfielder Robert Lee starring alongside Steve Brown and host Scott Minto in the CharltonTV studio, presented by DNEL Ltd.
For more streaming information, please click here.
Audio commentary of the game is available for CharltonTV subscribers in the UK and Ireland, with Terry Smith and Greg Stubley in the gantry.
As always, there will be an array of catering options available to fans in SE7. Deuchars IPA is the guest ale in the Fans’ Bar, which will also be serving chicken tikka masala, vegetable jalfrezi, naan bread, chutneys, dips and chips.
External concessions include fish and chips in the West stand car park and Wicked Burgers and Colombian arepas located in the Alan Curbishley stand.
Fans are asked to note that the popular matchday pub Rose of Denmark, situated on Woolwich Road, is currently shut due to Covid.
Supporters can buy Valley Gold Jackpot tickets online for the fixture. For every £1 spent on a Jackpot ticket, half goes to the club’s academy to help produce the stars of the future, while the other half goes to the two winners of a cash prize.