The Championship returns this weekend and Hull City face a pivotal game first up as they welcome Charlton Athletic to the KCOM Stadium in what looks to a be a real relegation scrap. 

The Tigers are just one place and two points above the Addicks in the table, with Lee Bowyer's side occupying the highest of the three relegation places.

Not only could a win on Saturday hand the Tigers some vital points in the battle for survival, it would also give them a huge boost in confidence for the run-in.

With that in mind, here is the XI that we expect Grant McCann to play against Charlton on Saturday...

He's been Hull's first-choice shot-stopper throughout the campaign and will surely keep his place for this one.

It looks set to be a tight game, so his performance could be vital in ensuring the Tigers get a result.

The defender has played in a number of different positions in the backline this season but he's likely to be back on the right flank for the Addicks' visit.

The 25-year-old's performances were one of very few bright spark in the months before the delay to the season.

The delay to the season has allowed the new Hull captain to return to fitness, which is a massive boost.

You'd imagine he'll be one of the first names on McCann's teamsheet and will be hoping to make a positive start to life with the captain's armband.

The 23-year-old looks the likely candidate to line-up alongside De Wijs, in a centre-back partnership that looks promising on paper.

No team in the Championship have shipped as many goals at Hull but the presence of Burke and De Wijs should help to shore them up.

The Australian looks likely to be McCann's first choice for the run-in, which starts with this crunch tie against Charlton.

His performance going forward could be just as important as at the back against the Addicks.

The 21-year-old has impressed at points this season and they'll want him to be at his best for the arrival of Bowyer's men.

Controlling the midfield could be integral to getting a result and Da Silva Lopes could help the Tigers do that.

Stewart had just come back into the fray prior to the delay to the season and McCann will be hoping that his presence in midfield can help to strengthen his side.

This looks like to be a cagey and scrappy game, which should fit the former Liverpool man.

With Marcus Maddison set to play no further part, Martin Samuelsen looks like he could get another chance to prove himself on the right flank.

Hull will know that they can cause this Charlton backline some damage and the 23-year-old's performance could be key to that.

Another player that had begun to re-establish himself before the delay to the season, Toral showed glimpses of his brilliance earlier in the season before picking up an injury.

Hull have lost a number of their key attacking players this term, so they'll need the Spaniard to rediscover his early-season form.

He may be set to return to Barnsley at the end of June but the dynamism Wilks has shown at Hull will surely mean McCann gives him the start.

Hull need all the help they can get in the final third and the winger looks one of their most dangerous players.

It hasn't been the debut season at Hull that Eaves will have been hoping for but he could be absolutely vital to their survival hopes.

You feel McCann will look to him over Josh Magennis because if he gets hot he could keep them up.