Charlton v Swindon

Posted Monday, May 17, 2010 by BBC.com

Coca Cola League One play-off semi-final, second leg
Venue: The Valley Date: Monday, 17 May Kick-off: 1945 BST

TEAM NEWS
Charlton will check on defender Sam Sodje's knee injury as they attempt to overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit in their play-off semi-final.

Miguel Llera could deputise if Sodje is out, while full-backs Grant Basey (ankle) and Kelly Youga (knee) are the only definite injury absentees.

Swindon striker Billy Paynter remains a major doubt with a hamstring strain.

Charlie Austin and Danny Ward are set to continue in attack after scoring the goals which gave Swindon their lead.

BIG-MATCH FACTS
Head to head

• These clubs have met 56 times previously; Charlton have won 25, Swindon 13 with 18 drawn.

• Goals from Charlie Austin and Daniel Ward have given Swindon a 2-1 lead going into this second leg. Charlton's goal was scored by Deon Burton.

• Swindon have won one of their last five league and cup visits to Charlton; they prevailed 1-0 in the Championship in March 2000 with a goal from Steve Cowe. Charlton were top of the table at the time, and Swindon bottom, and they finished the season in those positions.

Charlton Athletic

• The club trailing after the first leg of their play-off semi-final has gone on to win the tie, and then to gain promotion to the second tier four times in since 1993. Barnsley were the most recent in 2006.

• Spent the first half of the season in the top two, but fell out of the automatic promotion places at the start of 2010, and never returned to them.

• Eager to make an instant return to the Championship; not experienced consecutive seasons in the third tier for 35 years.

• Successful in the first ever play-offs, when they retained their top-flight status in 1987.

• Promoted to the Premier League in 1998 after, arguably the most dramatic play-off final ever, when they drew 4-4 with Sunderland after extra time, and won 7-6 on penalties.

• Phil Parkinson's first experience of the play-offs as a manager was Friday night's odd goal in three defeat.

• The club finishing two places below the automatic spots in the third tier has won promotion on five occasions since 1991. Brighton were the most recent in 2004.

Swindon Town

• It's three years since a club won their opening match in the play-off semi-finals, and then went on to win promotion to the Championship (Blackpool, 2007).

• Swindon finished in fifth, one place and two points inferior to Charlton.

• Since 1991 when the play-offs assumed their current format, the club finishing three places below the automatic promotion spots has been promoted to the second tier only twice (Sheffield Wednesday in 2005, and Barnsley in 2006).

• They conceded 57 goals, making their defence the weakest of the four clubs in these play-offs.

• Won two of their last three in all competitions, and failed to win five of seven.

• Hoping to rise out of League One after a three-year stay.

• Last promoted to the second tier in 1996, where they stayed for four seasons.

• Promoted to the second tier in the first ever play-offs in 1987, and also successful in them in 1990 and 1993.

• This is the third play-off campaign for manager Danny Wilson. He was unsuccessful with Bristol City in 2003 and 2004.