Johnnie Jackson will be in charge of Charlton on Tuesday evening (7pm) when they take on Bristol Rovers at The Valley after Lee Bowyer’s resignation on Monday morning.
The Addicks are currently two points shy of sixth-placed Ipswich Town – who have two games in hand – having taken four points during their last two outings in SE7 against Northampton Town and Shrewsbury Town.
Like their hosts, Bristol Rovers come into the game on the back of four points from their last two – a win against Accrington Stanley and a goalless draw with AFC Wimbledon – but remain embroiled in the relegation battle, with just a point separating the Gas from the bottom four.
Team News
Johnnie Jackson will be hoping to recall star midfielder Jake Forster-Caskey, who fell victim to the hectic League One schedule on Saturday, and Alex Gilbey (hamstring) may be in line for a return to the matchday squad.
Adam Matthews (hamstring) will miss out again, as will Ryan Inniss (quad) who continues to build match fitness after his four-month spell on the sidelines.
Joey Barton will be without long-term absentees Abumere Ogogo (quad) Joshua Barrett (hamstring), while Josh Grant is nursing a foot injury.
Pirates loanee Erhun Oztumer is ineligible to face his parent club Charlton, though is seemingly out of favour having been restricted to five minutes from the bench in the last eight.
Opposition Player To Watch
Brandon Hanlan
The 23-year-old will arrive in south London with a point to prove having been released by the Addicks in 2018 after joining the academy six years earlier. He enjoyed loan spells with Bromley and Colchester United, making nine appearances in SE7 before being picked up by Gillingham.
Hanlan’s debut campaign with the Gills saw him named the club’s Young Player of the Season after netting nine in League One under then-manager Steve Lovell. His second season was not so fruitful in terms of tangible returns, with four goals.
Rovers acquired Hanlan’s services last summer when he signed a two-year deal. Gas’ number nine has gone on to become the club’s joint-top scorer this season with his eight goals matched by Luke Leahy, and Pirates fans will be hoping the forward can add to that total to ensure their third-division status.
Head-to-Head
The meeting will be the 66th between the two sides. The Addicks have been victorious on 24 occasions, while the Pirates have won 22 with the remaining 19 games ending in draws.
Charlton ran out 1-0 winners during the return fixture in January courtesy of Forster-Caskey’s second-half goal directly from a corner, with Albie Morgan dismissed late on after accumulating two yellows.
The last meeting at The Valley resulted in a 3-1 win for the hosts in November 2017. Jamie Ward’s early opener was cancelled out by Joe Martin, before goals from academy graduates Joe Aribo and Karlan Grant.
