Charlton face their third away trip in a week on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Portman Road for a crucial clash with Ipswich Town (3pm).
Lee Bowyer’s side will be desperate to get back on track after a shock 4-2 defeat at Burton Albion on Tuesday brought an abrupt halt to the Addicks’ eight-match unbeaten run in League One.
Much like their visitors, Ipswich come into this game on the back of a disappointing result in midweek as they lost 3-0 at home to table-topping Hull City which ended their 100% home record from their six games in East Anglia this campaign.
Paul Lambert’s men are currently fifth in the league table, just one place and two points above the Addicks who have a game in hand.
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Bowyer will be monitoring the fitness of Jason Pearce and Deji Oshilaja after the defensive duo were both involved at the Pirelli Stadium as unused substitutes, though the Addicks manager revealed post-match that it is a “big ask” for the central defenders to jump back into first-team football.
The Addicks will also make late calls on midfield duo Jake Forster-Caskey (hamstring) and Dylan Levitt (illness) – the Manchester United loanee was sent home from Burton on Tuesday morning with a temperature.
Alfie Doughty (hamstring) and Ryan Inniss (quad) remain absent, while Saturday’s fixture is expected to come too soon for Akin Famewo who made his return to training this week after a hamstring injury.
Andre Dozzell is available again for the hosts after serving a three-match suspension following his red card at Sunderland, though Freddie Sears joined Town’s growing injury list after limping off in the first half in midweek with a hamstring problem.
Sears joins midfield trio Gwion Edwards (hamstring), Teddy Bishop (ankle), and Jon Nolan (groin) on Lambert’s injury table, along with Welsh defender James Wilson (knee).
Kane Vincent-Young (achilles), Cole Skuse (knee) and Flynn Downes (knee) remain the long-term absentees for the Tractor Boys.
“A Big Game”
The Charlton boss will certainly be seeking a response from his side this weekend after a disastrous showing against League One strugglers Burton Albion in midweek.
Speaking after the 4-2 defeat, Bowyer explained that a stern test against promotion rivals can be the perfect opportunity for his side to bounce back.
The 43-year-old said: “That probably might be the perfect game for us to go and play in. A good Ipswich side, they are very good. Maybe that’s what we need now after tonight. Something like a big game. We will be miles better than we were tonight.”
Head-to-Head
Charlton and Ipswich have met on 52 previous occasions with the Addicks winning 18, the Tractor Boys 23, and the remaining 11 games ending in draws.
The Addicks’ last trip to Suffolk ended goalless in April 2016 in a Sky Bet Championship clash.
Charlton’s last win against Ipswich came at Portman Road in September 2012 during a 2-1 win with early second-half goals from current assistant manager Johnnie Jackson and Ricardo Fuller.
