Jason Pearce says Charlton need to sign a minimum of three or four players to be promotion contenders.

Lyle Taylor has been Charlton’s only summer signing with the new season less than a month away.

Addicks caretaker boss Lee Bowyer is keen to add to his small squad - the club is yet to replace Ezri Konsa, Ahmed Kashi, Jay Dasilva and Ben Amos.

And Pearce, who won League One promotion with Wigan in 2016, knows Charlton need more strength in depth.

He told News Shopper: “I think we definitely need three or four more players minimum. Our squad is small and the manager has come out and said ‘we’ve got a lot of young players coming through’.

“They’re good talents but might not be ready to play. You need experience at this level to achieve something.

“Hopefully we’ll get a few over the line in the coming weeks and they’ll fit into the group well.

“It’s always better the earlier you get players in because you get a chance to gel and as fellow players you get an idea of how they play.

“If they come in last minute you don't always know their game and how they want to play. Just getting more bodies in the building will be great for us.

“We haven't got a massive squad. We’ve got a couple of injuries now and it’s inevitable you're going to pick up injuries and suspensions throughout the season.

“So we need that strength in depth. We definitely need three or four more players to have a promotion push.”

Speaking after Charlton’s semi-final play-off defeat to Shrewsbury in May, Pearce urged the club to sign experienced players.

The capture of Taylor, who scored 18 goals for AFC Wimbledon last term, was a good start, but no one has followed him to SE7.

When asked if he has been slightly disappointed with Charlton’s transfer business so far, Pearce said: “Yeah, I think so. Obviously you want the players in so we know what we've got.

“But as players, we can’t affect that, so we've just got to get on with our job and do our best in training and games.

“Also, with players not coming in, it gives other players opportunities to play in games and shine themselves.

“There are pros and cons to both sides but it’s important we get some more players in.”

Australian businessman Andrew Muir was expected to complete his Charlton takeover before the start of pre-season.

It is yet to be finalised and unpopular owner Roland Duchatelet is still at the helm.

However, Bowyer has remained in temporary charge with club legend Johnnie Jackson as his assistant, which has been a consolation for Charlton fans.

The pair guided Charlton to a top-six finish after winning six of their remaining 10 games.

Pearce, 30, added: “It’s important to have that stability. Looking back in the summer with all the uncertainty with the ownership and no manager, I was thinking ‘what’s going to happen when I go back?’

“But once I knew Bowyer and Jacko had been appointed, I knew what we were going to get, I knew it was going to be tough and structured and I knew we were going to give it a good go.

“They both came in and did brilliantly last season, the lads enjoyed it. They're both honest people and as players, that’s all you can ask for.”

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