Iwelumo's place in doubt against Blackpool
Published: 09:00, 11 January 2008
Charlton v Blackpool
CHARLTON Athletic will be hoping for a Championship win at home for the first time since early December this Saturday when Blackpool make the long trip to The Valley.
Manager Alan Pardew will be without Sam Sodje (suspended) while Jon Fortune returns from his suspension. But the biggest question surrounds who will play up front after leading scorer Chris Iwelumo was left on the bench for the FA Cup clash against West Brom on Saturday.
Pardew said: "I thought the pace up front of Izale McLeod and Luke Varney (against West Brom) gave us a lift and it is touch and go whether Chris starts."
Midfielder Jerome Thomas missed the cup tie through illness fuelling speculation he could be sold as he is not cup-tied and his, plus possible funds from a permanent move to Wigan for Marcus Bent, could fund Pardew's interest in Colchester's Karl Duguid and Burnley's Andy Gray.
Blackpool, promoted from League One last season and sitting 14th in the table, could give a first start to their new signing from Hull, striker Stephen McPhee.
Should he play, McPhee would be a familiar face to Charlton fans as it would be the third time this season he has lined up against them and he scored for Hull during the Addicks 2-1 win at the KC Stadium in October.
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KentOnline reporter