Parkinson has lost eight players from last season

Charlton Athletic manager Phil Parkinson says he is a long way off having a competitive squad.

After missing out on promotion from League One through the play-offs last season they lost their first pre-season friendly 2-0 to AFC Wimbledon.

"It's been a difficult summer to put it mildly," he told BBC Radio Kent.

"Looking at where we are at the moment I feel we need another eight players to make us competitive in this league. I'm working extremely hard to get them in."

He added: "The chairman's also working extremely hard to find the finances to help me achieve that.

I don't think many teams will have a change around like we're going to have Phil Parkinson

"If you look at the team that finished that Swindon game, Darren Randolph, Fraser Richardson, Gary Borrowdale, Lloyd Sam, Nicky Bailey, Kyel Reid, David Mooney and Deon Burton have all gone while Christian Dailly hasn't re-signed yet.

"I don't think many teams will have a change around like we're going to have and we've got a lot of work to do to piece this squad together.

"I've got to make sure this team is competitive so that our supporters get a team out on the pitch so we can put in a season like we did last season - if not better."

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