Josh Cullen wants to cap off his time on loan at Charlton with promotion to the Championship as he eyes nailing down a first team spot at West Ham United.

The midfielder says his target is to go back to his parent club as they want him to join them for preseason, part of which will be spent in China.

But while Cullen, 23, has ambitions to break into their first team squad he hopes to finish his time at The Valley by helping them get back into the Championship.

“I've always said that the main focus is to go back to West Ham and, like you said, get a first-team place there,” he said.

“They want me back to go and do preseason and try and make my time there successful and get into the first team and warrant that place.

“That's what I'm looking to do and, hopefully, that'll happen.

Asked about how important his time at Charlton has been in his development, Cullen added: “I think it's important for every player [loan spells]. Playing games and improving and developing yourself, you only get that through playing games.

“To come out and play in a team with great players, and that's fighting to get promotion, [it’s] a massive club that's been brilliant for me and I've thoroughly enjoyed it.

“Hopefully I can finish off my time off here with promotion.”

Cullen, who is now into his third consecutive loan spell, has scored once and assisted five more in 28 appearances for Charlton this season.

When he does go back to West Ham then he could join their preseason squad for the Premier League Asia Trophy in July.

While the Republic of Ireland under-21s international may well be part of Manuel Pellegrini’s plans, he also credits Addicks boss Lee Bowyer with his improvement.

“He's been brilliant for me,” he said. “When I first signed I said that was one of the main reasons why I chose to come here, to work under a manager like Bows.

“His record and his career, playing career, speaks for itself.

“To come and learn off a manager like that, who played in a similar position to myself and with the career that he had, and how good a player he was, then that was a key factor in trying to learn off him.”