Charlton vs Hereford Preview

Last updated : 11 August 2009 By Matt Fricker
Charlton Athletic go into their Carling Cup first round tie against Hereford United tonight with a severely weakened squad.

Five first team players in the form of Christian Dailly, Miguel Llera, Frazer Richardson, Lloyd Sam and Jonjo Shelvey have all been ruled out of this evening's fixture and face a race to be fit for Saturday's visit to Hartlepool.  

With that knowledge to hand and the wishful takeover of the club not occurring today, it's tough to guess as to who Phil Parkinson will send out in tonight's game.

One definite starter is surely Wade Small, the former Sheffield Wednesday winger who signed on a non contract basis yesterday.

Thankfully for Charlton, this season we seem to have an exciting amount of youth players urging to get their chance and shine in the red of the Addicks. 

Chris Solly, Scott Wagstaff and Yado Mambo all spring immediately to mind as shining lights during the pre season campaign. 

Darren Randolph is another player who could start tonight, his well publicised fall out with the Hereford management is sure to serve as good reason for him to go out tonight and show his former loan club exactly what they missed.

Up front, with Chris Dickson away at Leyton Orient with the Ghana international squad, and Deon Burton being a strong hold up man, I would personally predict that Andy Gray and Izale McLeod will be the chosen front men.

Although neither had the best of games on Saturday, they did both come very close to scoring and, in a game where our defence and midfield will be undoubtedly weaker, I can see the Addicks wanting as strong a strike force as possible.  

My predicted team for tonight are:

GK: Darren Randolph
LB: Grant Basey
CB: Kelly Youga
CB: Yado Mambo
RB: Chris Solly
LM: Wade Small
CM: Nicky Bailey (c)
CM: Matt Spring
RM: Scott Wagstaff
CF: Izale McLeod
CF: Andy Gray

Subs: Rob Eliott, Jose Semedo, Jack Clark, Alex Stavrinou, Therry Racon, Deon Burton, Stuart Fleetwood