Charlton v Carlisle preview

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Charlton will be without Hogan Ephraim when they host Carlisle.

The winger, who scored his first goal for Charlton against Huddersfield on Monday night, is ineligible to play in the competition under the terms of his loan deal from QPR.

But on-loan Burnley defender Leon Cort and midfielder Darel Russell, the recent loan signing from Preston, do have permission to feature.

Skipper Johnnie Jackson (hamstring) and fellow midfielder Dale Stephens (ankle) are still on the sidelines.

Boss Chris Powell is set to make further changes to the line-up which beat Huddersfield with John Sullivan getting a run-out in goal and Cedric Evina, Bradley Pritchard, Paul Hayes and Jason Euell likely to be involved.

Carlisle manager Greg Abbott is not expected to make any changes to his side for the trip.

Abbott, who has no new injury or suspension problems, is expected to retain Peter Murphy and Lubo Michalik in central defence following the former’s return from a back injury, meaning Danny Livesey will take his place on the substitutes’ bench again.

Rory Loy should continue up front despite his involvement in an ongoing court case after being charged with attacking a woman in a Glasgow nightclub.

The club have publicly stood by the Scottish striker, who denied the charges in court last week. Loy is due to appear in Glasgow Sheriff Court again next month.

Defender Frank Simek is closing in on a return to first-team action. The American right-back has been sidelined due to hip and calf problems since sustaining injury on the opening day of the season, but Christian Ribeiro, on loan from Bristol City, is likely to continue against Charlton.

Defender Chris Chantler, a recent loan signing from Manchester City, is hoping to be included in the squad.

Charlton v Carlisle preview

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Charlton boss Chris Powell has a few selection headaches to mull over as the League One leaders aim to get back to winning ways against Carlisle.

The Addicks lost their unbeaten record in the league this season when Stevenage pulled off a shock 1-0 win.

Powell has no fresh injury concerns but that defeat may force him to reconsider his starting XI, particularly up front.

Yann Kermorgant has failed to net in Charlton’s last two games so Paul Hayes is primed to partner top scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips in attack.

Paul Benson returned to fitness to score for the reserves in the week to offer Powell another attacking option.

Leon Cort made his first start against Boro but full-back Chris Solly should return to the defence with Michael Morrison switching to centre-back.

Carlisle manager Greg Abbott must decide whether to recall fit-again Slovakia international Lubo Michalik.

Central defender Michalik has missed the last two games after returning from interntional duty with a gashed knee, but is expected to return to contention.

Danny Livesey has stepped in alongside Peter Murphy at the heart of defence in Michalik’s absence and Abbott faces a selection dilemma.

Skipper Paul Thirlwell is hoping to shake off a calf strain that has kept him out of the last two matches, but Tom Taiwo will continue in midfield if he fails to make it.

Right-back Frank Simek, yet to feature this season, has suffered a setback in his bid to return from a long-term thigh injury by tearing a calf muscle in training and winger Andy Welsh (calf) remains sidelined.

Charlton v Carlisle preview

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Charlton winger Johnnie Jackson is doubtful.

Jackson had to go off at half-time during Saturday’s defeat at Notts County after picking up a knock and is being assessed, with Scott Wagstaff on standby to deputise.

Striker Pawel Abbott is in talks over a move away from The Valley and will not figure.

Paul Benson remains a doubt with a hamstring problem so Joe Anyinsah is likely to partner Bradley Wright-Phillips in attack again.

On-loan Leeds defender Federico Bessone is expected to be sidelined for several more weeks with a hamstring injury so youngster Carl Jenkinson is set to continue at left-back.

Charlton have lost their last three matches and slipped five points off the play-off places.

Carlisle manager Greg Abbott is expected to recall on-loan defender Gary Borrowdale.

Borrowdale has been restricted to just two appearances due to suspension and illness since arriving from QPR at the end of January and was an unused substitute in Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.

Winger Matty Robson has been filling in at left-back in recent weeks, but could revert to his preferred position on the left of midfield.

Central defender Lubo Michalik is not ready to return following a hamstring injury, skipper Paul Thirlwell is recovering from a calf strain and defender Liam Cooper, on loan from Hull, remains sidelined with a broken bone in his hand.

Cumbrians boss Abbott gave a clear indication that he wanted to bring in a wide player on loan after his side’s lacklustre display against Wednesday.