Boro boss 'looking forward' to Charlton challenge

Middlesbrough host winless Charlton on Saturday as league leaders look to extend their run after a 5-1 win at Bolton.

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg says he is looking forward to facing Charlton on Saturday after his side went top of the Championship with a 5-1 victory at Bolton last Friday. Striker Will Lankshear scored in that win to take his tally to 11 goals, with Boro having scored 27 in their opening 12 league games.

Charlton arrive winless in their last nine league matches, a run stretching back to 29 August. Hellberg praised his players' positive energy in training following the Bolton performance and said there remain areas to improve. He also confirmed striker David Strelec, who has been sidelined with injury and played just 10 minutes of Championship football this season, is in contention to face Charlton. However, defender Alfie Jones remains several weeks away from returning after an ankle injury.