CHARLTON boss Chris Powell admits the club faces a tough campaign ahead as his team prepare for their second season back in the Championship.

Speaking after the Addicks enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 friendly win over Portsmouth on Saturday, the Valley chief warned it would be a difficult task to match last season’s ninth-placed finish.

Powell explained: “Everyone knows we had a very good season.

“It will be very tough for us to emulate that, but we’ll be trying.

“Why else would we be out there?

“We’ve got to look to push ourselves.

“I know my players will and anyone who comes in, I’ll be making sure they will be thinking the same.”

Powell added: “We are a unified side and a unified club and last year we did exceed expectations but I want us to remain a tough nut to crack in the Championship.

“We’ll do our best in each and every game and see where it takes us.

“That’s what we did last year and we’ll be doing that again.”

Goals from Bradley Pritchard, Callum Harriott and a Yann Kermorgant penalty ensured victory for the Addicks at Fratton Park.

Powell’s men have not struggled for goals during their pre-season campaign, scoring 15 times in their five friendly fixtures so far, despite the club have only one striker on the books in Kermorgant.

And although the manager has fielded youngsters Joe Pigott and Michael Smith during the summer, he is looking for experience as he puts the finishing touches to the squad which will face AFC Bournemouth on August 3.

Powell said: “It’s one area where I feel we just need a bit of experience.

“We’ve got some good young players but the Championship is a tough league, so to expose them to that straight away will be quite hard.

“You like to build them up like. I need proven strikers that will be reliable and ready to play in a 46 game season.

“I’ll continue to look for the right player that will make us a better team. I want to get the best team I can out there for August 3.”

Charlton’s pre-season preparations continue with a trip to Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday evening.

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