Charlton boss Lee Bowyer looking forward to managerial meeting with former Leeds team-mate Jonathan Woodgate

Bowyer and Woodgate played together at Leeds United and have remained good friends during their fledgling managerial careers.

Boro’s meeting with Charlton at the Riverside looks like an important one on paper with both clubs battling in the bottom half of the Championship.

Woodgate’s Boro are just a point above the relegation zone ahead of the fixture, while 17th-place Charlton are on a seven-game winless run.

When asked if he’s looking forward to a reunion with Woodgate, Bowyer said: “We played together and travelled all over Europe together so, yes, I'm looking forward to seeing Jonathan again at the weekend.

“Robbie Keane’s No 2, obviously he was at Leeds as well when we played there so it will be nice to see them and it’s going to be a tough game.

“It’s never easy going there, it’s a tough place to go but we’ll turn up and we’ll try and do our best.”

Like Boro, Charlton have several injury concerns ahead of the match, yet last season’s top scorer Lyle Taylor and forward Chuks Aneke look set to return to the squad.

“We've got a couple coming back, so Lyle and Chuks hopefully will be on the bench,” added Bowyer.

“They’ve been outside for a while now, running and doing everything they need to do on the training pitch before joining in with us.

“When they come back you can’t go mad and just throw them in there and let them play 90 minutes. We have to do it the right way, but the most important thing is that they’re back there with the rest of the group.”

Charlton could also include former Cardiff and Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley in their squad after signing the midfielder on a free transfer.

“He has experience, he has been in the game a long time, he’s an international player,” said Bowyer when asked about his new signing.

“He’ll come in and help the young lads that are in around it. I’m over the moon to have him on board.”