One of the most intriguing Championship games this weekend, as we return from the November international break, is at The Valley, where surprise promotion candidates Charlton Athletic face surprise strugglers Southampton.
Charlton have done very well this season after being promoted via the League One play-offs last season, demonstrating that they can be more than competitive in the second tier thanks to the same level of grit and drive instilled in them by Nathan Jones.
The pre-season expectations were to assure survival, but about a third of the way into the season, the Addicks are only a few of points away from the top six and the play-offs.
Southampton, on the other hand, have had a difficult first few months, with their humiliating demotion from the Premier League compounded by the need to fire Will Still early this season as the Saints drew closer to the relegation zone.
However, with temporary coach Tonda Eckert still in charge, they had regained some form before the break, winning consecutive games against Queens Park Rangers and then crisis club Sheffield Wednesday.
As the two sides face off in south London following their surprise starts, FLW looks at the players who will be unavailable for the match.
2Charlton Athletic
Reece Burke
Former Luton Town defender Reece Burke had starting to find form for the Addicks after joining in the summer, but the centre-back sustained a foot injury a few weeks ago and is now unavailable for the visit of Southampton.
Josh Edwards
In mid-October, it was revealed that former Dunfermline Athletic full-back Josh Edwards had ankle surgery. He is working his way back to full fitness, and the surgery appears to have accelerated the process, but he remains out.
Matty Godden
Matty Godden, Charlton’s best scorer last season and a former Coventry City striker, has been out for some time with a knee injury that necessitated surgery. He’s working his way back, but this weekend is still too soon.
Charlie Kellman
past season’s League One top scorer, who arrived from QPR for up to £5 million in the summer, missed the past couple of games before the international break while on loan at Leyton Orient, and is expected to miss this one as well.
1Southampton
Cameron Archer
Striker Cameron Archer, who has struggled for rhythm and consistency this season, is currently sidelined for Southampton due to an ankle injury received against Blackburn Rovers last month.
Cam Bragg
Youngster Cam Bragg is one of several youngsters who have made debuts for Southampton this season, although the midfielder is currently battling with a hamstring injury.
Shea Charles
Shea Charles, a Northern Ireland international, has been a crucial player for a struggling Southampton side, but he, like Bragg, is sidelined due to a hamstring injury and missed Northern Ireland’s recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Luxembourg.
Samuel Edozie
Samuel Edozie, who attempted to push a move to Club Brugge in the summer, has been on the fringe at St Mary’s this season and is now out with a hamstring injury.
Elias Jelert
Former manager Still stated in mid-October that summer signing Elias Jelert had sustained a quad injury that would keep him out for four to six weeks. He is anticipated to return shortly, but not this weekend.
Ross Stewart
Ross Stewart had finally returned to the Saints’ starting eleven before suffering a hamstring and tendon injury against Derby County last month.
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