City boss Stuart McCall believes this weekend's opponents Charlton Athletic are equipped to push for promotion this season and expects a tough challenge. McCall believes Saturday's fixture will see two good sides going head to head and as such is anticipating an entertaing clash.
He said: 'I think the off season gave Karl chance to put his own squad together. One or two things happened there in the summer; they took two of our influential players in Clarkey (Billy Clarke) and Marshy (Mark Marshall), but I think the key thing for them was keeping hold of (Ricky) Holmes and (Josh) Magennis – I think that showed a sign of their intent.'
'I think they’re one of four of five clubs who have got genuine hopes of automatic promotion. They’ve had a steady start but once they’ve got players back from injury they’ll be a real threat. I think its two good teams going head to head on Saturday and it will be decided by who takes their chances and who performs on the day.'
'We both had good, entertaining games during the week. Us against Oldham and them down at Oxford, and I imagine it will be more of the same this weekend.'
'They had time last season to see what they wanted and they’ve obviously been backed to go again by the board. They’ve built a good squad and they’ve got a good couple of loan players in as well; they’re getting stronger all the time because obviously they’ve had a few injuries, with Marshy being one of them. They’re a side who will push on because they’ve got good, quality attacking players.'