Addicks to top struggling Hatters
Stockport v Charlton
Relegation-threatened Stockport’s last three home games have fallen foul of the weather but they should finally return to Edgeley Park this weekend to take on second-placed Charlton.
The third tier’s basement side have twice had their FA Cup second-round clash with Torquay postponed, while unparalleled rainfall and poor drainage also caused County’s league meeting with in-form Swindon to be deferred.
But the Hatters – who will finally meet Torquay at Macclesfield’s Moss Rose on Tuesday – fully expect their match with the Addicks to go ahead and are desperate to pick up three points.
Gary Ablett’s men have lost their previous seven league matches and are three points adrift at the bottom of the table following Saturday’s defeat to fellow strugglers Wycombe.
County – who will have defender Johnny Mullins suspended this weekend - need a lift from somewhere and it could come via veteran striker Matty McNeil.
The 33-year-old was released by the Hatters in the summer but after failing to find a new club, returned to Stockport colours as a late substitute at Adams Park, and Ablett believes McNeil’s physical presence could be of huge use to his toiling team.
Charlton will be heading to Edgeley Park for the first time in nine years but they did host the Greater Manchester outfit in a topsy-turvy League Cup bout in 2007, which they edged 4-3.
The Addicks’ previous two league games have been won by efficiency rather than expansion, though, with Reds manger Phil Parkinson describing their victories over Brighton and Southend as “professional.”
Athletic – four points clear of third-placed Norwich – are likely to recall midfielder Jose Semedo after he served a one-match ban last weekend, while robust striker Akpo Sodje – who has extended his loan from Sheffield Wednesday for a further month – is pressing for his premier Charlton start.
Ex-Birmingham owner David Gold was spotted at the Valley on Saturday and is reportedly interested in purchasing the financially-insecure Londoners – but only if a deal is completed by the middle of January.
With Stockport eager to impress their long-suffering fans, Charlton should be tested but they will still have too much for their tormented hosts.
Verdict: Stockport 0-2 Charlton