Charlton v Chelsea

Charlton were unable to play Alexei Smertin against his parent club and opted to replace the Russian with Bryan Hughes against league leaders and current Barclays Premiership champions Chelsea at The Valley.

Smertin, on loan for the season from the west London side, has played a pivotal role in Charlton’s unbeaten start to the campaign but the agreement of the switch does not allow him to play against Chelsea.

Blues coach Jose Mourinho made one change from the side that defeated Anderlecht in the Champions League on Tuesday night with Hernan Crespo replacing Didier Drogba in attack.

William Gallas continues at left-back in the absence of the injured Asier Del Horno and Eidur Gudjohnsen misses out again through illness.

Charlton: Andersen, Young, Perry, Hreidarsson, Powell, Rommedahl, Kishishev, Murphy, Hughes, Thomas, Bent. Replacements: Holland, Bartlett, Ambrose, Spector, Myhre.

Chelsea: Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Terry, Gallas, Makelele, Duff, Lampard, Essien, Robben, Crespo. Replacements: J. Cole, Geremi, Drogba, Cudicini, Wright-Phillips.

Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire)