BOSS Phil Parkinson admits he will have to be on top of his game if Charlton Athletic are to beat Exeter City this weekend.

The Valley chief acknowledged that the Grecians are fairly flexible when it comes to picking their formation, so Parkinson knows he will have to be alert to any surprises opposite number Paul Tisdale may spring tomorrow.

eyes on the ball: Exeter City midfielder Liam Sercombe (right) battles for possession with ex-Charlton midfielder Nicky Bailey during last season's 1-1 draw at St James's Park

"Exeter will be a contrast to Tuesday's game where Dagenham played a very direct style," Parkinson said.

"Exeter are more of a football team who can change their system during a game, which is something we'll have to be prepared for.

"Tactically we'll need to know exactly what we're doing. They have got some good players and they did well to survive in this division last year. They'll be looking to progress again."

Parkinson rested some of his first-choice players for Athletic's 1-0 win over Dagenham in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

The manager admitted he was pleased with how some of his squad players performed, but hinted that those players rested in mid-week, including the likes of striker Pawel Abbott and midfielder Alan McCormack, would return for the match at St James's Park.

Parkinson said: "I think we've got good competition for the squad now. A few players came in and did well and it enables me to go and pick a team that I feel can go and do a job at Exeter and get us the points.

"There's nothing better in a squad to have genuine competition and I feel we've got that."

One major doubt for Parkinson was whether goalkeeper Rob Elliott would have recovered from a back injury in time to play this weekend.

Understudy Ross Worner has not convinced when he has played this season, conceding seven goals in three appearances.

But Elliott has trained this week and Parkinson expects the No. 1 custodian to play, while there could be a second debut for centre-back Jon Fortune, who re-joined the club at the start of the week on a short-term contract.

Christian Dailly has sustained a crack in his eye socket, so Fortune is on standby to step in if required.

Parkinson said: "We want to see if Jon can get back to the levels he was at before. There's no reason why he shouldn't."