Charlton Athletic boss Jones on challenge of facing League One leaders Birmingham

Nathan Jones says his Charlton Athletic side will be facing the toughest test of their League One campaign on Saturday when they head to Birmingham City.

The Addicks travel to St Andrew’s having lost just once in their last 13 league outings and have jumped back into the play-off spots. Birmingham are seven points clear at the top of the table and have only lost twice all season.

But one of their defeats came at the hands of the South Londoners, who claimed all three points in October with a Matty Godden strike in the 54th minute.

Jones said: “My satisfaction doesn’t come from beating Birmingham, it comes from us reaching our goals this year.

“Beating Birmingham gave us a much-needed three points back in October when we really needed them.

“As long as we reach our goal this year, I don’t care who we beat or how we beat them. All I’m concerned about is being the best version of ourselves. It’s the toughest test in the league – it’s the hardest place to go to. They’re the best side in the league and it will be the toughest game.

“We know they’re a wonderful side, but we’re in good form. It’s another game. It’s a game where whoever wins the game gets three points.

“If it’s a tie, you get a point. You don’t get any more points for beating Birmingham.”