MICHAEL Smith has been challenged by Charlton manager Chris Powell to prove he has what it takes during his loan spell with AFC Wimbledon.

The young striker will link up with the League Two Dons until January 1, his fourth loan spell away from SE7 having previously represented Accrington, Newport and Colchester.

But Powell seemed to hint this morning the 21-year-old’s stay with the Wombles could well make or break his long-term Charlton prospects.

The Valley boss said: “The plan was always to let him go out, he needs to develop.

“He has had the coaching from us, he knows what we want but he will only get it from games at league level, not from playing in the U21s.

“He needs now to forge his career and for us to keep tabs on him, which I will because AFC Wimbledon is not too far.

“I’m in constant contact with all of their coaching staff there and Neal Ardley, the manager.

“They definitely wanted him which I found was great from a playing point of view for him.

“He needs to go out and play, learn his trade, come back here a bit more battle hardened and ready to be in our group.

“We need the Michael Smith we feel can come out to come out at Wimbledon, then he comes here ready to be part of our Championship squad.

“I want that to happen, it is down to him now.

“We can only do so much. Ultimately it is down to the player to go out there and prove his worth.”

Powell also explained why he reluctantly allowed keeper David Button to agree a permanent switch to Brentford this week.

He said: “David all of last year I think was a regular in my office wanting to play.

“I couldn’t promise that.

“To be fair to him he done OK when he got in the side, especially away at Huddersfield where he himself earned us the three points, and again this pre-season he showed up well.

“He had a real chance of starting but sometimes ther are factors from other areas – agents and everyone else.

“Brentford made a play for him and he came up and said it was something he wanted to do.

News Shopper: David Button

“I wanted him to stay, I wanted him to even go on loan because I feel he will develop into a very good goalkeeper.

“But sadly in the end he wanted to go and we’ve allowed it to happen.

“I didn’t really want it to but what do you do – do you keep a disgruntled goalkeeper or you move on.”

Powell added: “We do have high hopes for Nick Pope but it is an area where I can go with Ben Hamer at the moment.

“If anything happens I will look at it whether we loan.

“We will always continuously look to bring keepers in like we did with David but it is something which has happened and we have to move on now.”

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