Ben Garner will be hoping to alleviate some of the pressure building on his shoulders and end a four-game winless run in League One when Charlton Athletic host Cheltenham Town on Friday evening.

The Addicks put in arguably their worst display of the campaign in a 1-0 defeat at Port Vale last time out in the league, with attacking difficulties negatively impacting their season-long defensive struggles.

Joe Wollacott, Mandela Egbo, Terell Thomas, Eoghan O’Connell, Miles Leaburn and Conor McGrandles are out injured, while Jayden Stockley is suspended and Craig MacGillivray may still be recovering from a concussion suffered in their 3-3 draw at Burton Albion.

Ashley Maynard-Brewer has looked competent between the sticks in their last two games, but is still very inexperienced in the EFL.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Corey Blackett-Taylor has suffered significant drop-offs in form, and Chuks Aneke’s professionalism comes into question with striker still not fit enough come close to completing a match.

Wade Elliott’s Cheltenham Town are relying on defensive organisation to keep them up in the third tier this term, with Caleb Taylor and Charlie Raglan huge players in their backline. The Robins took four points off of the Addicks last season and have seen under 2.5 goals in all of their last five league games.

Plymouth Argyle have won all nine of their home league games this season in League One.

Yet are odds against to pick up all three points in hosting Port Vale on Friday evening, Darrell Clarke’s newly promoted Vale have made an excellent start to the season, sitting tenth, but are reliant on their backline as well.

Vale seem to have charmed the market so far this season, but there is not enough evidence on the pitch and in their results, to command as much respect in heading to the league leaders.

Argyle’s attacking contingent is dented by injuries to Finn Azaz and Danny Mayor, but they have the depth to cope and Vale cannot afford to sit back, Argyle are too dynamic to contain, as they have proven time and time again this term.

James Wilson is not yet fully firing after returning from injury, and a lack of attacking threat, outside of set piece situations, could see wave after wave of Argyle attacks overwhelm Vale.

Argyle may have to grind this one out due to Vale’s excellent game management and organisation, but taking them draw no bet feels like a safe selection to bolster an accumulator on Friday.