Stoke City v Charlton Athletic

JEROME THOMAS comes into contention for the first time this season as Charlton go to Stoke on Saturday seeking to build on their first win of the season in the Carling Cup at Swindon.

The England Under-21 midfielder had been kept out of the squad by a hamstring injury sustained in training two weeks ago.

But Pardew is holding back on China captain Zheng Zhi, who rejoined the club last week, and Frenchman Therry Racon until he is satisfied regarding their levels of fitness.

Pardew is under no illusion about the size of the task facing his new-look squad against Tony Pulis's big, abrasive and powerful side.

Pardew said: "I thought we had a bit of a taster at Swindon because Paul Sturrock's teams tend to play direct. But Stoke are up a level from them, with all due respect to Swindon.

"This is a part of the Championship which we've got to deal with. I've picked my team for Saturday, though I’m not sure it’s my best team yet because Zheng Zhi, Therry Racon and Luke Varney are out of contention.

"But I believe I have picked a team that will cope with Stoke."

Former Stoke striker Chris Iwelumo will be hoping to start for the Addicks against the club for whom he scored 16 times in 84 league appearances and helped the Potters to a play-off victory in 2001.

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