Charlton v Reading preview

Pardew: Facing former club

Related links

Teams

• Charlton Athletic
• Reading

Also see

• Championship fixtures
• Championship table
• Championship stats

Charlton have faltered after a positive start, while Reading continue to make steady progress.

The Addicks were opening day winners, but have suffered league and Carling Cup defeats since then.

The Royals are looking to make an immediate return to the top flight, and have opened in positive fashion - they are also yet to concede in the Championship.

Duo miss out

Charlton will be without Kelly Youga and Therry Racon as Alan Pardew's men take on his former club at The Valley.

Youga serves a one-match ban following his red card against Watford last weekend while fellow Frenchman Racon is out for up to three months after suffering a broken metatarsal at Vicarage Road.

Grant Basey was pulled out of the Wales Under-21 squad in midweek with a hamstring problem but Pardew is hopeful he will be fit to deputise for Youga at left-back.

Matt Holland is the likely replacement for Racon in the centre of midfield.

Darren Ambrose (groin) and Svetoslav Todorov (knee) played for the reserves in midweek but may not be risked just yet following lengthy lay-offs.

Zheng Zhi is back from Olympic duty with China but will not figure as his future at the club is still in doubt.

Royals unchanged

Steve Coppell is set to name an unchanged side for the trip to London.

With the defence looking watertight so far, Coppell will keep faith with Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen Hunt at left-back.

Hunt has excelled in the role - creating both goals for Ibrahima Sonko in the 2-0 win over Plymouth last weekend - but Coppell is actively working to sign a specialist full-back after the sale of Nicky Shorey to Aston Villa.

New signing David Mooney is available for selection but is unlikely to feature as Coppell beds him in at the Madejski Stadium.

Captain Graeme Murty remains out with a calf injury while Czech Republic midfielder Marek Matejovsky is facing another two weeks on the sidelines with his ankle knock.

The Royals are also without midfielder Brynjar Gunnarsson (knee) and Sam Sodje (knee), but defender Michael Duberry is back in training after his hamstring problem and could be included in the matchday squad.