Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer has admitted that he doesn't expect his side to challenge for promotion this season despite their barnstorming start to the year.

The Addicks, who prevailed in the play-offs last season in League One, are currently unbeaten in the league and host Brentford at The Valley on Saturday.

After kicking off the current campaign with an impressive 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers, Charlton have since secured five points from a possible nine on offer in the Championship.

Although the season is still very much in its infancy, the fact that Charlton currently sit fifth in the second-tier standings has raised questions over whether they could be capable of achieving back-to-back promotions.

Yet despite having a squad at his disposal which includes the likes of Lyle Taylor, Conor Gallagher and Darren Pratley, Bowyer has rubbished talk of a possible return to the Premier League in 2020.

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Speaking to the press (as cited by the club's official Twitter account) ahead of Saturday's showdown with Brentford, the 42-year-old said: "The reality is that if we stay in this division this season, that is a massive achievement.

"A lot of our players haven't played in the Championship, but I believe in them and believe we will stay up.

"Any talk about promotion is ludicrous!"

The Verdict

Although Bowyer is right to reiterate Charlton's underlying target for the year is survival, there is no reason why the club cannot push on under his guidance to reach new heights over the coming eight months.

Having already illustrated this season that they are more than capable of competing at this level during their victories over Blackburn and Stoke City, a continuation of their recent form will put the Addicks in a fantastic position in the second-tier.

With Brentford sure to pose a real threat at the weekend to Charlton, it will be intriguing to see whether Bowyer's side can maintain their unbeaten record.