Norwich v Charlton

CHARLTON are hoping central defender Sam Sodje will be fit for the Boxing Day trip to Norwich City.

Sodje, on loan from Reading, was taken ill during Saturday's 1-1 home draw against Hull City and had to come off after 23 minutes when he was replaced by Patrick McCarthy.

"Hopefully, Sam will be available to face Norwich," said manager Alan Pardew who also has doubts about midfielders Lloyd Sam and Jerome Thomas.

Both sustained injuries against Hull while skipper Andy Reid is already out with damaged knee ligaments.

Norwich are undergoing a sustained revival under new manager Glenn Roeder and Saturday's 1-0 success at Scunthorpe was their fifth in seven games.

"I believe we'll be better against Norwich than we were against Hull," said Pardew. "They've put together some good results recently and I always enjoy going to Carrow Road.

"The fans are good and so are the people who run the club. They've got their tails up so we're going there in difficult circumstances because of our injuries."

The match marks Pardew's first anniversary in charge of the Addicks following his appointment as Les Reed's successor on Boxing Day last year.

He said: "I'm enjoying my time at Charlton and in particular my working relationship with the chairman Richard Murray and the board of directors who have been incredibly supportive.

"We've taken the club forward and now things are stable after a bit of turmoil."

"Ultimately, to have rapid success, you need to be in the Premier League, which is where we want to be."