Charlton Athletic boss Michael Appleton feels his team’s “mentality” will be key at Brunton Park this weekend.

The Addicks are hoping to spoil Carlisle United’s party in the Blues’ first game under their new owners.

Charlton are unbeaten in five games in all competitions and sit 11th in League One.

They take on a Carlisle side who sit third bottom but Appleton expects a demanding encounter in Cumbria.

“It’ll be a difficult one,” said Appleton.

“You look at some of [Carlisle’s] results they’ve had against the likes of Peterborough and Bolton…even the [Portsmouth] game it took 94 minutes for Pompey to get the three points.

“Carlisle are very organised, they’ve got a decent structure to them, they try to frustrate you by defending deep at times.

“They can be dangerous on the counter.

“They’re the type of team who haven’t scored a lot of goals but considering where they are they don’t concede a lot.

“They make it difficult for teams. It comes down to a lot of things but [mainly] mentality and willingness to match what they’re capable of on the day.”

News and Star: Charlton celebrated promotion on their previous visit to Carlisle in 2012Charlton celebrated promotion on their previous visit to Carlisle in 2012 (Image: News & Star)

It is Charlton’s first visit to Brunton Park since April 2012, when a Bradley Wright-Phillips goal earned the Addicks a 1-0 win which sealed League One promotion.

The south London club are set to be backed by a strong travelling support and former Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Lincoln City and Oxford United boss Appleton, speaking via his club’s official channels, added: “It’s incredible support.

“We just want to try and make sure we give them another great away day.

“I can assure the focus is there from the group to try and do that.”

Charlton have players back from international duty, including Jamaica defender Michael Hector.

But longer-term injury absentees remain out including Terry Taylor, Panutche Camara, Chuks Aneke and Harry Isted.