CHARLTON boss Nigel Adkins is expecting “a challenge” against Wanderers at the Valley on Tuesday night (KO 7:45pm).

The Addicks finished seventh in League One last season, only missing out on a play-off place on goal difference.

However, the London outfit find themselves in the drop zone after taking six points from their opening nine fixtures.

Meanwhile, Wanderers sit in ninth place following last weekend’s 1-0 defeat against Sunderland despite an encouraging performance at the Stadium of Light.

Adkins has been impressed with the way the Whites’ start to the season following their promotion from League Two.

“Every team seems to have a different way of what they want to do to approach the game,” he told the club’s website.

"It’s going to be a challenge. They’ve got off to a decent start, but we’ve got to focus on us and try and do what we’ve got to go and do, and give ourselves an opportunity to go and win a game of football.

“By working hard, by running, by passing the ball, by being good defensively in our shape and being a team.”

Adkins hopes to have Corey Blackett-Taylor available as the winger continues his recovery from injury.

The former Aston Villa man joined the Addicks over the summer and came off the bench in the draw with Portsmouth at the weekend, setting up Josh Davison’s goal.

“We’re trying to get players up to levels of fitness,” added Adkins. “Harry Arter’s played 45 minutes today and (Alex) Gilbey has played 90 - I didn’t expect him to do that. He’s done great and Pape’s (Souaré) played 90 now.

“Players are coming back but we couldn’t risk Corey. That was a big risk even having him on the bench really.

"We went from a sports science point of view but he’s got a good momentum about himself so he’s come on and he’s unscathed, which is important so he should be fine for Tuesday now. But we’ve got a group of players who all want to do well and it’s a long season.

"We’ve got off to a poor start but it’s a long season but there’s a spirit which was demonstrated on Tuesday night and again today. The lads want to do well and they’re working hard for each other.

"We’ve just got to keep doing the right things and we’ll get what we need in the end.”