Simon Church is set to leave The Valley for a loan spell elsewhere. Church does not appear to figure in Bob Peeters’ plans and the Welsh international has been a peripheral figure this season.
Church came on at the start of the second half at Brighton, and played the ball in for Igor Vetokele to score his second goal.
That was the last time Church featured in a match. He was an unused substitute in the home games with Watford and Wolves but has not been included in the squad for the last three matches.
He did not travel to Norwich on Tuesday night, nor was he involved in the Under-21 game at Barnsley on the same evening.
Given the current paucity of Peeters’ striking options, clearly the rift between the pair is deep and it is difficult to see how Church will play for the club again.
The Addicks have signed former Sheffield Wednesday Under-18 captain, Ayo Obileye. Obileye has been on trial at the club for some while and is a central defender.
Hackney born, Obileye will be pleased to return to London and will be part of Jason Euell’s Development Squad.
Peeters has some selection problems ahead of Birmingham’s vist. Definitely out are Tal Ben Haim on religious grounds, and Johann Gudmundsson and Joe Gomez with ankle problems. George Tucudean is also a doubt with the back problem that kept him out of the Norwich game.
Peeters opted for a 4-5-1 formation at Carrow Road but will probably revert to his favoured 4-4-2 shape for this game.
Chris Solly will return at right-back and Michael Morrison will deputise for Ben Haim. With no senior cover for the central defenders, Terell Thomas may be given a spot on the bench.
Lawrie Wilson is likely to continue on the right in place of Gudmundsson, with Yoni Buyens, Johnnie Jackson and Jordan Cousins completing the midfield quartet.
Igor Vetokele will be hoping to end his five match streak without a goal and will probably be partnered by Frederic Bulotin attack.
Peeters could start with this team:
Henderson; Solly, Morrison, Bikey, Wiggins; Wilson, Buyens, Jackson, Cousins; Bulot, Vetokele.
Subs: Pope, Fox, Thomas, Moussa, Munns, Harriott, Ahearne-Grant.
The referee will be Paul Tierney from Lancashire.
Birmingham have made a sluggish start to the season but won at Millwall on Tuesday, while Charlton will hope to build on the momentum gained from their fine win at Norwich.
The Addicks’ squad is stretched but they have a two week break due to the international fixtures after this game.
Peeters will hope to win the game without losing any more players to injury. Another worry is that Yoni Buyens is a booking away from a suspension.
A win would consolidate Charlton’s place in the play-off zone.
