West Brom boss Slaven Bilić is aware that Charlton will pose a greater threat than the side they eased past 1-0 in the FA Cup Third Round last weekend.

By coincidence the Baggies visit The Valley for the second weekend in succession as they turn their attention to league duties, and their manager admits there will be little to take from the cup competition.

Bowyer is expected to make sweeping changes to his starting line-up, buoyed by news that a number of his first team are back training and in contention for game time in what is expected to be a near capacity crowd in SE7.

“A victory is a victory and we’ll take some positive things from it,” Bilić told WBA TV.

“We have good fresh memories from that ground because we left happy, but it’s going to be a different game.

“They also rested some players in the FA Cup and it wasn’t a packed stadium.

“It was a good FA Cup atmosphere, don’t get me wrong, but this is going to be a more difficult game for us, definitely.

“We are, of course, ready for that. We are looking forward to it."

'A fighting team'

West Brom remain in the top two despite a run of four league games without a win.

The Baggies boss admits he needs to turn his side's fortunes around but is aware of the threat the Addicks possess even with their mountain of injuries endured this season.

“We need points to maintain our position," he continued.

"Charlton started really good in the league then they dropped after they were hit with injuries and all the problems that come with that.

“But they are a fighting team, they are an aggressive team, they are playing at home and they also need points, so we are expecting a very difficult game - it’s the Championship!”

The fixture marks a new dawn for Charlton as it’s the first home league fixture since confirmation of ESI’s takeover was approved, by the EFL.

With news of Bowyer being offered a new five-year deal and the new owners promising investment this transfer window there’s an air of optimism around The Valley, with crowds expected to flood back in support of the new regime.