Swindon v Charlton preview

Decisions to make for promotion-chasing managers

Last updated: 5th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Swindon v Charlton preview

Lucas: Groin injury

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Swindon Town will make a late decision on two players for the visit of promotion rivals Charlton Athletic, who have several options to consider.

First-choice goalkeeper David Lucas missed Swindon's 2-2 draw against Southend last Saturday with a groin injury, meaning Steve Mildenhall took his place between the sticks.

Substitute striker Vincent Pericard also failed to overcome a hamstring strain in time to feature at Roots Hall and both are touch and go for the visit of third-placed Charlton.

"I wouldn't like to hazard a guess either way. We're hoping they'll be available to us but I wouldn't like to say," manager Danny Wilson told the club's official website.

On-loan defender Alan Sheehan (hamstring) hopes to return within three weeks while wideman Alan O'Brien is edging ever closer to his latest comeback following hamstring problems of his own.

Danny Ward will be playing his first game since extending his loan deal from Bolton, and Charlie Austin will be looking to celebrate his new contract with a continuation of the form that has brought him 10 goals in his last 11 games.

Charlton news

Charlton manager Phil Parkinson has a number of selection dilemmas ahead of the trip to in-form Swindon.

Kelly Youga is the only injury absentee having been ruled out for a further fortnight with a knee problem, so Chris Solly or Grant Basey will start at left-back.

Parkinson has seen his side take just two points from their last three games to slip off the automatic promotion pace but he has plenty of options at his disposal.

Youngster Jonjo Shelvey has been left out of the last two matchday squads and will be pushing to be involved.

Fellow midfielder Jose Semedo and winger Lloyd Sam dropped to the bench for the midweek draw at Walsall.

Akpo Sodje, Leon McKenzie or David Mooney are again vying to partner top scorer Deon Burton in attack, although Shelvey provides another option behind a lone frontman.

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