CHRIS Powell claims Charlton’s trip to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and the following weekend’s game against Sheffield United are no more important than any other league fixtures.

Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Fulham in the third round of the FA Cup left Powell's troops with only the league left to play for this season.

But the manager believes the results of the next two fixtures against two of Charlton’s biggest promotion rivals will not make or break the Addicks’ campaign.

Powell explained: “I don’t think the two Sheffield games will decide the title race, as after those two games there are still 20 to go, which is 60 points.

“It doesn’t make or break our season, although obviously if we get positive results it may reinforce where we are and what we’re trying to do.

“But it’s all about next week at Sheffield Wednesday now and regardless of the score there, we will then move on to Sheffield United at home.”

First up for Powell and his side is the prospect of trying to get a result at Hillsborough, a stadium where few have escaped with a point this season.

Wednesday go into the game hot on the heels of an impressive home win over West Ham in the cup, although Powell is ready to stick to his guns for the clash of the titans.

“I see the Hillsborough fixture as just another game in our season,” he said. “Sheffield Wednesday have been very good at home and it’s up to us to be ready to implement our game plan and play our football.

“It is a game I’m looking forward to because you want to pit yourself against teams in and around you.

“We have some very good results against teams around us so far this season, so I want us to keep that going.”

Powell has claimed this season he never likes to lose, particularly after the League Cup exit at the hands of Preston and the Johnstone’s Paint defeat against Brentford.

He did, however, admit the end of Charlton’s third and final cup run at Craven Cottage had as many positives as negatives.

“It’s a good focus for us now because the FA Cup events won’t harm our confidence as we knew we'd be up against it playing a Premier League team,” the manager said.

“We move on now and get recovered and ready for the rest of the league campaign.”

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