CHRIS Powell has admitted he wants to secure the future of his senior players quickly before their contracts expire in the summer.

The Addicks have been very proactive in recent weeks signing up their youngsters, including the likes of Jordan Cousins and Chris Solly, on long-term deals.

But with a host of more experienced players out of contract at the end of the season who could all potentially agree moves elsewhere in January, Powell knows there is a big risk his squad could break up unless the club offer those new contracts quickly.

When asked this morning is any news was likely soon, the Charlton boss replied: “I hope so because it is vital for us.

“With the players I’ve got, with the staff and myself, I want us to progress.

“Planning is vital to any manager and I know where I want to go with this football club, I think I said it to the fans at the last game of the season.

“To move forward as Charlton Athletic I need my players to stay here.

“We are a good football club and I’ve got a good squad who will only get better over time.

“There are still many of them not even in their late 20s where they really come to the fore, so I need those players to stay here and I want to stay here with them because I can only see us getting better.

“But of course they want security, they want their futures I believe to be here and I want to be their manager because I can only see them improving.

“People like Michael Morrison, Ben Hamer and Rhoys Wiggins - I can only see them getting better.

“And if we can coach them and make them better players they can only do one thing – improve Charlton Athletic, so I want that to happen."

Powell added: “The problem is, as everyone knows, come January it is six months (before contracts expire) and we are now in November.

“I am aware of it and I know our fans are, and rightly so.

“Hopefully we will be able to give them the news they want whether that takes a few weeks or the next couple of months, but I’d like it to be resolved because I think the players will be happy.

“They want that security and then we can all move forward together.”

But if Charlton are indeed to move forward together, there is also the matter of resolving Powell’s own future, with the manager’s current deal also set to expire in the summer.

However, although keen to get that issue resolved, the Valley boss was quick to point out the number one priority remains agreeing terms with his out of contract squad members.

Powell explained: “I would rather get my players sorted out first to be honest with you, I really would, because ultimately they are the ones that have to perform.

“They are the ones I have to motivate and coach alongside my staff to perform because ultimately what they do on the Saturday or midweek influences what happens with me.

“I’d like them to be sorted but of course yeah, I want to manage here.

“I’m the longest serving in the Championship, which is bizarre, but I want to remain that way and for me to do that we have to do well and be successful and I want my fans to know that.

“I want us to all move together, make sure our future is bright and my future is here alongside my players here at Charlton Athletic.”

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