CHARLTON manager Chris Powell feels fitness will be the key factor as to whether the club can offer a deal to former Reading striker Simon Church.

The Welsh international, currently a free agent, has been training for the Addicks since last week and featured in a 2-1 defeat to non-league Ebbsfleet United on Sunday.

But despite Powell only having one senior striker on his books in Yann Kermorgant, and with less than a week until the new Championship campaign kicks off, the Addicks chief admitted Church is going to have to improve his fitness before talks over a potential deal open.

“Simon is way behind,” explained Powell.

“He started training with us last week, he is a player that came to our attention so I thought it would be wise to get him in.

“But he hasn’t been training anywhere.

“You can train on your own but you are never going to be at the level we’re at at present.

“He has got to find his feet and get used to our training and new players. He has done OK, but it is too early to say.

“It is always difficult but obviously he has got decent pedigree, so we’ll have to wait and see.”

Another frontman who has been linked with a return to SE7 is Ricardo Fuller.

The Jamaican notched five goals for Powell’s men last term and the Charlton manager hinted he would like to see the experienced striker back in an Addicks shirt again.

Powell said: “Possibly, there is an outside chance.

“He asked to train with us. He did a bit of training when we were in Spain and he has done a little bit more since we got back.

“We do know he is a bit of a match winner, he has looked sharp.

“Obviously he is sought after but we’re in discussions and I’m hoping we can get somewhere with it, because it is so obvious that we need something in that area.”

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