Charlton v Preston

Charlton will make a decision over whether or not to extend the loan of midfielder Tom Soares after Saturday's home game against promotion-minded Preston.

Soares’ loan from Premier Division Stoke ends after the match with Charlton having the option to extend for a further month.

Manager Phil Parkinson confirmed: "I will speak with the chairman about whether he stays or goes after the match."

All the indications point to the former Crystal Palace player returning to the Potteries so that Charlton can trim their wage bill as they prepare for life in League 1 next season.

But Parkinson, who rates the club’s survival chances as "slim" vowed the team would not go down without a fight and promised: "If we go down we’ll bounce back better and stronger, I have no doubt about that.

"What’s important is that between now and the end of the season is that those who are given the shirt wear it with pride."

Central defender Darren Ward returns to bolster Charlton’s defence having been ineligible to face parent club Wolves at the weekend and will resume his partnership with skipper Mark Hudson. He replaces Matt Holland who put through his own goal for Saturday’s winner at Wolves.

Goalkeeper Nicky Weaver , who last made a first team appearance on December 9 owing to a long-term thigh injury, presented a strong case for a recall with an outstanding performance for the reserves against Queens Park Rangers in midweek.

But Parkinson is likely to retain Rob Elliot who saved a penalty against Wolves last week.

If Charlton beat Preston, it will be their first home win against them in 34 years. The last time they beat them at The Valley was in the 1974-75 season when they won 3-1 in the old Second Division.