Brighton v Charlton
After a rare weekend without a game, a recharged Charlton will return to action on Tuesday night (7.45pm) when they make the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Addicks' FA Cup exit at Northwich Victoria meant there was no fixture for Charlton, so Phil Parkinson will have been able to spend the time off plotting Brighton's demise on the south coast.
Charlton are without a win away from The Valley since the 4-0 thrashing of Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park in August, and this is something Parkinson will be looking to address in midweek.
Parkinson cannot question his side's home form, with the Addicks unbeaten in SE7 since March - but he will be keen to see his men pick up three points on their travels and maintain the pressure on league leaders Leeds United.
However, Charlton are averaging two points per game overall this term - form that will be enough to get them promoted if it can be maintained for the remainder of the season.
It will be a tricky encounter at Brighton, who have won three games from five under new boss Gus Poyet.
There have been two heavy defeats to in-form Leeds and Norwich City in that time, though, and Charlton will have their fingers crossed that Brighton can aid the Addicks' own promotion challenge on Tuesday.
Opposition news
Liam Dickinson hit a dramatic winner four minutes from time as Brighton edged into the FA Cup third round with a 3-2 home win over Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday.
The former Derby County striker, who scored twice against Charlton for Blackpool last term, settled the tie from seven yards after strike partner Nicky Forster saw his shot blocked.
Dickinson capitalised on a goalkeeping error from Nathan Abbey in the third minute to fire Brighton ahead, before Lee Tomlin levelled with a low shot 11 minutes later.
Veteran striker Forster restored the Seagulls' lead from the penalty spot after being brought down by Curtis Osano after 21 minutes, but Aaron O'Connor made it 2-2 just before the break with a low shot into the corner.
Forster drilled a shot wide in a second half of few clear-cut chances, and the match looked to be heading towards a replay until Dickinson grabbed his sixth goal of the season.
Afterwards, Dickinson slammed Brighton's habit of leaking goals, stating: "No disrespect to Rushden, but we made it difficult for ourselves at times. It's very frustrating to concede two goals again and it's not good enough. We're very disappointed we're leaking goals again and we need to work hard on our defence."
Graeme Smith kept his place in goal on Saturday, with Michel Kuipers still missing, although the Dutchman is in light training after a groin injury. Left-back Jim McNulty could make the bench after an ankle injury but centre-half Colin Hawkins is still on the sidelines with an Achilles problem.
Brighton - 20th in League One - named former Tottenham Hotspur assistant boss Poyet as their new manager in early November.
The 42-year-old has agreed a contract until the end of next season and said upon his appointment: "This is another challenge for me to take the club where everybody in Brighton wants to be and that's in the Championship. Being realistic, I think 18 months is possible. If that is the goal of the club, it's no problem."
The ex-Uruguay international midfielder started his playing career in his homeland with spells at Grenoble and River Plate Montevideo before spending seven years in Spain with Real Zaragoza. He joined Chelsea on a free transfer in 1997, making 145 appearances for the club before transferring to Tottenham, where he spent three years before retiring.
Poyet's coaching career includes time as assistant boss at Swindon Town and Leeds under Dennis Wise, and as number two to Juande Ramos at Spurs, whom he helped guide to the Carling Cup in 2008.
Charlton team news/past meetings
Charlton made two changes for last week's clash with Bristol Rovers at The Valley. With Sam Sodje suspended following his red card at Yeovil Town on Saturday, Spaniard Miguel Llera deputised in the centre of defence.
There was also a change in midfield for the Addicks as Therry Racon made way for teenager Jonjo Shelvey.
Carl Ikeme played his last game between the posts before the end of his emergency loan spell from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Phil Parkinson will be hoping Rob Elliot has recovered from his adductor injury to return to action at the Withdean. Should he not, then Darren Randolph could earn his first league start of the campaign.
Frazer Richardson is hoping to return from a hamstring problem, but Kelly Youga, who has been playing at right-back, is doubtful after limping out of the win over the Pirates with a knee injury. Elliot Omozusi could start at right-back if Richardson and Youga are unavailable, with Grant Basey likely to be on the left.
Llera joined Christian Dailly in the centre of defence, but with Sodje having served his suspension, the Nigerian is poised to return. Elsewhere, skipper Nicky Bailey continued his thriving partnership with Jose Semedo in the middle of the park, with Shelvey slotting into an unfamiliar left-sided role and Lloyd Sam continuing on the right. Scott Wagstaff is another option for a role on the wing.
Deon Burton and David Mooney are again set to start in attack if Parkinson opts for a 4-4-2 formation. Akpo Sodje was joined on the bench by Randolph, Omozusi, Matt Spring, Racon, Wagstaff and Izale McLeod, the latter having sat out a three-match ban.
Dailly, Llera, McLeod, Youga and Semedo are just one booking away from a suspension after tallying four yellow cards apiece this term.
The Addicks last met Brighton in a friendly at the Withdean Stadium in summer 2008, Chris Dickson's goal earning the Addicks a 1-0 win.
The last competitive meeting came in the 1991/92 campaign, Charlton winning 2-1 in an (old) Division Two clash at the Goldstone Ground through goals from Paul Gorman and Robert Lee.
Earlier that season, a goal after just 54 seconds from Garry Nelson and 21st-minute strike by Colin Walsh earned Charlton a 2-0 win at Upton Park.
The first encounter between the two teams came in Division Three (South) in October 1921, Henry Wilson scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win for Charlton at The Valley.
Overall, Brighton have won 20 games to Charlton's 19, with eight draws.
Tickets and travel
All away tickets for the trip to Brighton have now been sold, and none will be available on the day.
Details of the Valley Away coach service, priced £12, to the Withdean Stadium can be found here.
Fans can get details on discounted group rail fares and other rail information here.
Anyone not attending the game can listen to full BBC LONDON audio commentary on the club's video website CAFC Player, and commentary will also be available on digital radio and on BBC LONDON's website. The Addicks' Twitter feed @CAFCofficial will keep fans updated on a regular basis as well.
CAFC Player, previously known as CAFC TV, allows fans to follow the action via the live matchday centre, with text updates, all the latest statistical information and a league table that refreshes as the goals go in across the country.
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