Charlton will welcome 2,000 fans back to The Valley on Wednesday night when they return to SE7 to host MK Dons (7:45pm) after three away games on the spin.
Lee Bowyer’s side bounced back from the disappointing 4-2 defeat at Burton Albion in midweek with a statement 2-0 victory against promotion rivals Ipswich Town as Albie Morgan and Omar Bogle both netted their first league goals in Charlton colours.
Saturday’s win saw the Addicks climb up to third in the League One table, just two points behind second-placed Peterborough United, with a game in hand.
MK Dons had a break from league action at the weekend as they took on non-league Barnet in the FA Cup. Russell Martin’s men sealed their place in the draw for the third round thanks to Cameron Jerome’s strike after 82 minutes.
The Dons are currently sat 18th in the League One table, with 14 points from their 14 games.
Team News
Akin Famewo is expected to return for the visit of the Dons on Wednesday night, as is Ben Purrington who will replace Ian Maatsen in the Addicks line-up after the Chelsea loanee received his fifth yellow card of the campaign at Portman Road.
Bowyer is expecting to welcome back Conor Washington, who missed the trip to Suffolk with a minor knee issue, in place of his Northern Irish compatriot Paul Smyth. The QPR loanee was forced off in the second half on Saturday with a nasty cut on his left knee and has since had five stitches.
Jake Forster-Caskey is in contention to feature in the league for the first time since the 2-0 win at Portsmouth. The 26-year-old has been out with a hamstring problem.
The Addicks will be without Ryan Inniss (quad) and Alfie Doughty (hamstring), while Dylan Levitt and Deji Oshilaja are also unavailable. Levitt returned a positive coronavirus test last week, forcing Oshilaja to self-isolate after coming into close contact with the Manchester United loanee.
For the visitors, Jay Bird (knee) and Louis Thompson (hamstring) remain long-term absentees, while Joe Mason and Jordan Houghton are also doubtful for Martin’s side.
Chelsea academy graduate Houghton limped off just 13 minutes into Sunday’s clash at Barnet after being on the receiving end of a heavy challenge.
Fans Bring A “Welcome Pressure”
The Addicks are preparing to host fans for Wednesday’s fixture after the government announced last week that spectators would be allowed in outdoor sports venues following the second nationwide lockdown.
Speaking after the announcement, Bowyer stressed the importance of welcoming the Charlton faithful back to The Valley: “Whatever numbers it is, we need fans – it’s just dead out there.”
As a tier two area, SE7 will play host to 2,000 fans.
“It will bring a bit of pressure but that’s a bit of welcome pressure. You need some noise in there and our fans are great.
“They will make a big difference to us.”
Head-to-Head
Wednesday’s match will be the 17th fixture between the two sides, with the Addicks winning seven, the Dons five and the spoils being shared on the remaining four occasions.
The last league meeting came in February 2018 at Stadium MK, with Ahmed Kashi and Josh Magennis both notching in a 2-1 win for Charlton.
The Dons’ last visit to The Valley ended in a 2-2 draw in November 2017, with Addicks duo Alex Gilbey and Chuks Aneke both lining up for the visitors that afternoon.
