Charlton look to continue good home form in push for promotion

Lee Bowyer’s Charlton Athletic welcome Accrington Stanley to The Valley on Saturday afternoon, as the Addicks look to solidify their push towards promotion.

Bowyer, a former Charlton schoolboy, has over seen a successful campaign so far despite the on-going talks over the future ownership of the club.

His side currently sit fourth in League One, just three points off Luton in second, and will look to build on their 3-0 success away at Shrewsbury last time out.

Charlton will also be boosted by the return of midfield pair Ben Reeves and Josh Cullen although their manager did admit that the availability of the two attacking players gives him a selection decision going into the fixture.

“To have the pair of them back is good and now I have a headache about who to take in the squad and who to play.

“I’d rather that than where we were a month ago, though, because we were down to the bare bones. Slowly but surely, we are getting stronger again and are getting people back.” – Lee Bowyer speaking to CAFC.co,uk

Charlton’s boss, who has been permanent boss since September, remains without skipper Jason Pearce as well as a host of first team players.

Bowyer has brought in three reinforcements during the January transfer window so far as Jonny Williams, Chris Maxwell and Ben Purrington have all joined the south east London side.

Charlton’s opponents Accrington Stanley have announced their own piece of transfer business this week with the return of former Stanley defender Janoi Donacien on a season-long loan from Ipswich.

Donacien adds to further loan signings Liam Gibson and Luke Armstrong from Newcastle and Middlesbrough with boss John Coleman hoping his new signings make an immediate impact at the Valley on Saturday.

Stanley currently sit in fourteenth position in the League One table and boss Coleman was clear on his where he wants the club to be come the end of the season in May.

“The table is really tight and we want to get enough points to secure League One football next season, that’s our priority.

“We need to try and get as many wins on the board as possible as soon as possible.” – John Coleman speaking ahead of Accrington’s trip to the Valley

In his two meetings as a manager with Charlton, Coleman has seen his side draw 1-1 with the Addicks, most recently at the Wham stadium in August when Jordan Clark’s late equalising goal secured a late point for Stanley.

Coleman will realise that his side will go into the game as underdogs against the team that boast the second best home form in League One.

Charlton will hope that their kids for a quid initiative for the game against Stanley will see plenty of young fans in the ground as they look to remain unbeaten in 2019.