CHARLTON, like MK Dons, should not be in the position of having nothing to play for.

The Addicks were one of the most impressive visiting sides seen at Valley Parade in December’s goalless draw.

But the anticipated push for an immediate return to the Championship has never materialised.

Charlton are another club embroiled in an off-field divide between fans and the board.

Hints from controversial Belgian owner Roland Duchatelet that he might soon be selling up are taking up more focus than the matches now.

On the field, Karl Robinson has had problems with attitude and injuries.

The game at City was his first in charge and suggested Charlton had a team capable of mounting a strong challenge through the second half of the season.

But a recent eight-match winless run, which included four straight defeats, had the manager angrily questioning the effort and desire of his players.

Fortunes have picked up with a last-gasp win over sinking Scunthorpe and Saturday’s draw with Walsall – but Robinson’s resources will be hit for City’s visit tonight.

Northern Ireland striker Josh Magennis, who proved such a handful at Valley Parade, is out for three weeks with a hamstring injury.

Charlton are also missing five centre halves through injury after Ezri Konsa limped off on Saturday to join an overflowing casualty list.

Patrick Bauer has sat out the last two games after suffering a head injury and tonight will come too soon for former Leeds defender Jason Pearce. Harry Lennon and Roger Johnson are both out long term.

Jorge Teixeira is the only fit centre back and will be partnered by either midfielder Fredrik Ulvestad, who filled in during the Walsall game after Konsa’s departure, or youngster Aaron Barnes.

A frustrated Robinson admitted: “I’ve never seen anything like this in my life. But it is what it is at this moment in time.”