Sheffield Wednesday v Charlton Athletic

CHARLTON boss Alan Curbishley is hoping his side avoid slipping to an embarrassing fifth consecutive away defeat when they play Coca-Cola Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup on Saturday.

After losing 3-1 in the Premiership at struggling Everton on Monday, Curbishley said: "We always seem to be coming from behind away from home.

"All we are asking for is a decent start. We can’t keep conceding twos and threes and finding ourselves in the position we have been."

The last time Charlton won away from The Valley was back in October against Portsmouth.

If they are to succeed at Hillsborough, then they will have to do it without midfielder Danny Murphy, who has a hamstring injury, and defender Talal El Karkouri who left for theAfrican Nations Cup on Friday. Curbishley is resigned to being without the Morocco defender for a prolonged period.

Paul Sturrock’s Sheffield Wednesday stopped a run of three consecutive home defeats and moved out of the relegation zone with a 3-0 victory over Crewe on Monday.

The Owls will be without former Gillingham player John Hills who is suspended after collecting a fifth booking. Also absent will be forward David Graham (Achilles) and long-term injuries Steven MacLean (broken leg), Drew Talbot (back) and Jon-Paul McGovern (thigh).

New signing Deon Burton is unavailable because he is cup-tied after playing for Rotherham earlier in the competition.

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