ADDICKS SWEATING HUDSON FITNESS

Hudson: Could miss Addicks opener

Charlton are sweating on the fitness of summer signing Mark Hudson ahead of their Championship opener against Swansea at The Valley.

The former Crystal Palace centre-half, who has been named Addicks captain, picked up an ankle knock in last week's friendly against Athletic Bilbao.

Boss Alan Pardew will give Hudson as long as possible with Jonathan Fortune the club's only other recognised centre-back.

Yassin Moutaouakil is suspended so midfielder Jose Semedo could deputise at right-back.

Goalkeeper Nicky Weaver should be fit after suffering a knee strain in pre-season while Matt Holland (ankle), Chris Dickson (thigh) and Svetoslav Todorov (knee) are on the mend.

Zheng Zhi is on international duty with the Chinese Olympic squad, Darren Ambrose is recovering from a hip op and Izale McLeod is still out with a knee injury.

Swansea duo Gorka Pintado and Angel Rangel will miss the trip but boss Roberto Martinez is boosted by the return to fitness of star striker Jason Scotland.

Striker Pintado and defender Rangel are sidelined with groin problems, with the latter expected to return within the next fortnight.

Scotland, meanwhile, made his comeback from groin surgery in Tuesday's 1-0 friendly win over ADO Den Haag and should feature.

Summer signings Jordi Gomez, Mark Gower, Federico Bessone, Albert Serran and Stefan Morrison are all in contention to make their competitive debuts for the Swans while on-loan Manchester United striker Febian Brandy will be hoping to impress.

Martinez is also not expected to name any cover for goalkeeper Dorus de Vries in his matchday squad after rejecting the chance to sign trialist Derek Soutar.