Bent hopes for debut

Charlton’s new £2.5m (€3.6m) striker Marcus Bent could make his debut against Barclays Premiership leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but may start on the bench.

Midfielder Alexei Smertin will not be available under the terms of his season-long loan deal from the Blues, while Danny Murphy, Jerome Thomas and Jay Bothroyd are all pressing for a recall.