THE CHALKBOARD

CHARLTON Athletic may well have opted to postpone their visit to Swindon Town on Saturday due to international call-ups, had the two teams not already agreed to play in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

This weekend’s game was pencilled in for TV coverage back in August, meaning Charlton are unable to request a postponement, and that means that Town are likely to face a much-changed Addicks side.

Teenage sensation Ademola Lookman, Josh Magennis and Jordan Botaka are all away with their countries, forcing Russell Slade to shuffle his pack.

After sweeping changes in the summer following relegation, Slade's Charlton are still struggling to find the perfect tactical balance but they remain a threat on the counter-attack.

Swindon Advertiser:

Russell Slade Pictures: Keith Gillard/South London Press

LIKELY LINE-UP

Swindon Advertiser:

A MAN IN FORM – Fredrik Ulvestad

Russell Slade’s side may have lost Iceland’s Johan Gudmundsson to Premier League Burnley last summer but at the end of August, another international midfielder moved in the opposite direction.

Norwegian Fredrik Ulvestad, who was capped by his country in 2014, arrived at the Valley on a season-long loan from the Clarets and after pitching in up south-east London, the midfielder has started every League game for Charlton so far this season.

The midfielder has only found the net once for the Addicks, his goal coming in a 1-1 draw with Port Vale, but his all-round performances have caught the eye.

Ulvestad is a box-to-box player blessed with fine technique and a good eye for a pass but he also drives forward and support Charlton’s attack when he can.

Swindon Advertiser:

Charlton's Fredrik Ulverstad

TREATMENT ROOM

THE Addicks are sweating on the fitness of winger Ricky Holmes ahead of their visit to the County Ground on Saturday.

The 29-year-old, who joined Charlton after helping Northampton win League Two last term, picked up a foot injury during his side’s FA Cup victory over Scunthorpe United last weekend and underwent a scan this week, which did not highlight any significant damage.

Holmes’ participation in Saturday lunchtime’s fixture now rests on whether the swelling in his foot subsides significantly for the former Portsmouth man to play.

Frontman Lee Novak also complained of a tight hamstring at the end of his side's 3-1 win over Scunthorpe but is expected to be fit to feature.

Additionally, Charlton's ranks will be stretched as a result of their three players away on international duty – striker Josh Magennis (Northern Ireland), on-loan forward Jordan Botaka (DR Congo) and Ademola Lookman (England U20).

Swindon Advertiser:

Charlton's Ricky Holmes

Opposition Form Guide

Tue, Nov 8

EFL Trophy

1-1 Draw v Colchester Utd (A)

Sat, Nov 5

FA Cup

3-1 Win v Scunthorpe Utd (H)

Sat, Oct 29

Skybet League 1

1-0 Win v Chesterfield (H)

Sat, Oct 22

Skybet League 1

1-1 Draw v Gillingham (A)

Tue, Oct 18

Skybet League 1

1-1 Draw v Port Vale (A)

Goalscorers

Ademola Lookman: 5

Johnnie Jackson: 4

Nicky Ajose: 3

Discipline

Harry Lennon: 1R 1Y

Ezri Konsa: 3Y

Josh Magennis: 2Y

The Stat

The last time Tim Sherwood faced Charlton Athletic in a league game was in 2003 when he was playing for Portsmouth. Pompey lost 2-1 that day.