Darren Pratley wants Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet to back Lee Bowyer in the loan window.

The Addicks have signed just three players this summer as Duchatelet has made cutbacks.

They have been unable to fill a full substitutes’ bench this season due to injuries.

Charlton caretaker boss Bowyer is targeting a top-two finish, however, in order to challenge for that, the club must sign five or six new players, according to Pratley.

The experienced midfielder, who penned a two-year deal at the Valley last month, said: “I didn't want to come down to League One and sit here and float.

“I wanted to be back in London but I don't want to be here just for the ride, I want to try to win something.

“People will say I’m coming here at the back-end of my career because of my age, I’m 33, but I want to win stuff.

“What he [Bowyer] is saying about the top two, it’s the right attitude from your manager, but at the same time, we are a small squad.

“We've only had three players come in and we've had a few injuries. Jake [Forster-Caskey] is probably our best player so to lose him was a big blow.

“We do need some bodies and hopefully he can get some in this loan window because if you want to finish in the top two you’re going to need a big squad.

“There are going to be injuries and suspensions and if it was just one game and we had our best 11, I’d fancy us against anyone. But as a squad, it would be nice if he could be backed a little bit.

“I’d say [we need to sign] five or six [players]. You need a big squad. League One is relentless.

“There are no international breaks, there are a lot of league and cup games and you need a decent squad. You need a big squad.

“We’ve got good players but we’re quite thin. So it would be nice if the manager could be backed in the next couple of weeks with some players.”

Pratley starred in Charlton’s 2-1 victory over Shrewsbury on Saturday, assisting Karlan Grant’s 91st-minute winner.

The ex-Fulham trainee has won League One promotion with Swansea and Bolton - and that experience will be invaluable to a young Charlton team.

This young Charlton team is being led by Bowyer, who has been caretaker manager since March.

Discussions about making his position permanent are set to take place with Duchatelet if the club is not taken over by the end of this month.

An Australian consortium have been in talks to complete a takeover for over a year.

Pratley added: “Lee Bowyer is the main reason why I joined. I had the same agent as him when I was younger so I followed his career as a player.

“But when I met him in the hotel, he made up my mind. I had other offers from the MLS and other clubs. The way he came across, he seemed honest, he said ‘if you play well you play, if you don't you don’t’.

“He wants me to work hard for him. If he was to leave or not get the [permanent] job then it would be very disappointing.

“I didn't know about the caretaker role, he is the gaffer to me. Obviously the sooner he gets that sorted out, the better for the boys.

“The boys see him as the gaffer, they don't see him as someone who's going to be here for a couple of games. To me I call him ‘gaffer’ because he is the gaffer.”