Charlton Athletic vs Blackpool team news with 1 out and 2 doubts as Nathan Jones close to 'new signing' boost

Charlton Athletic and Nathan Jones will look to strengthen their position towards the top of the League One table this weekend with the visit of struggling Blackpool to The Valley.

The Addicks have lost just one of their opening six matches this term while the Seasiders have just one win to their name. 16 places separate the sides in 3rd and 19th.

Here's your team news ahead of Charlton Athletic vs Blackpool.

Charlton Athletic team news

Defender Josh Edwards was named on the bench against Cambridge United in midweek and enjoyed some minutes in the Football League Trophy win, which is a welcome boost for the Addicks. The summer signing from Dunfermline Athletic sustained ligament damage in a nasty tackle against Leyton Orient last month.

Striker Miles Leaburn is also edging ever closer to his first team return, which Nathan Jones has said will be like a 'new signing'. The 20-year-old featured for the under-21 side against Leeds United last week but is yet to  be named in a first team squad this term.

The Addicks boss said: “He is looking something very, very different and we’re delighted to have him back. It’s a cliché but it is like a new signing for me because I have seen him play - I just haven’t see him play for me.

“He is categorically for me like a new signing - and a wonderful new signing. Because if I could profile a centre-forward he literally ticks all the boxes in terms of what we need.”

Blackpool team news

Blackpool midfielder Ollie Norburn has picked up a hamstring injury that will keep him out of action for a month, meaning he will be unavailable against Charlton Athletic.

Speaking in midweek, Bruce elaborated on his injury problems, which also include an issue for midfielder Lee Evans as he missed out against Sheffield Wednesday.

Bruce said, via the Blackpool Gazette: “We had one or two knocks, bumps and bruises, and one or two tired. It’s going to be a big month with the amount of games we’ve got, so it’s going to be about the squad and managing it.

“(Ollie) Norburn will be a big loss to us, it’ll be a month at least before we see him. It’s very disappointing, it’s his hamstring. It’s a frustrating one because it’s a muscle injury, which is never great.

“Evans had an x-ray on a foot injury, and thankfully there’s no fracture. He’s got a sore foot, but we expect him to be okay with the way he is. He was terrific at the weekend, so I’m glad we’ve got him up our sleeve.”

Blackpool forward Dom Ballard returned to the squad against Sheffield Wednesday in midweek as he works his way back from an injury and could see minutes against the Addicks.

Bruce said: “He hasn’t trained since Saturday. There were times [against Sheffield Wednesday] where I thought about putting him on, but I’ve erred on the side of caution with him, but he’ll be raring to go on Saturday.”