Comeback king Henry to take on Charlton

Thierry Henry is set to play his first game in over a month when Arsenal take on Charlton.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger will be without Julio Baptista while Robin van Persie is a major doubt after both suffered ankle knocks in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United.

With Emmanuel Adabayor still sidelined with a thigh complaint and Theo Walcott struggling with a back problem, Henry may return.

The France striker has not played since the 2-1 defeat at Fulham in November because of a sciatica problem and fatigue. But, with Arsenal's chances of a Champions League place in jeopardy, Henry's fitness will be tested ahead of the visit of Charlton.

Wenger said: "It is difficult to say. I will see about Henry tomorrow."

Despite the injury crisis, Wenger reiterated he will not do any business in the transfer window, saying he was struggling to cope with his squad size already.

He said: "We will not buy anybody. We have too many players. I never like to use injuries as an excuse. It would be a cheap excuse."

Arsenal's game against struggling Charlton gives Wenger a chance to re-acquaint himself with manager Alan Pardew after their touchline bust-up last November.

Wenger preferred to concentrate on the game rather than the fall-out, insisting he had "nothing to say" about the incident and revealing he had not spoken to the former West Ham boss.

Although Wenger did question the wisdom of Charlton's decision to install their third boss this season, he said appointing Pardew could work for them.

He said: "Usually a change of manager statistically doesn't produce a change of convincing results. But it can at Charlton maybe."