Charlton coach Damian Matthew insists getting more new faces into the squad is still high on the club's agenda.

Guy Luzon has already made three signings this summer with two of the trio - Patrick Bauer and El-Hadji Ba - starting in today’s 2-0 win at Welling.

Matthew believes more bodies are needed and work is on-going to seal more new arrivals to complement the young faces in the team.

But the coach hinted there was now uncertainty whether one known target, former Standard Liege loanee Frederic Bulot, would be staying in SE7 after all. 

He said: “With Regan (Charles-Cook) and Karlan (Ahearne-Grant) starting today, yes they have the talent but they can’t play 46 games this season for us.

“Those are key areas for us we’re looking to strengthen – so that’s something we’re looking to do.

“We may lose Bulot because negotiations are on-going there, but that’s where we are at the moment and we can only wait and see what happens – and I’m sure we’re looking to address that behind the scenes.”

The game against the Wings provided a stern test for Luzon’s side as preparations for the new campaign got underway.

And Matthew was pleased with the way the side approached the contest.

He explained: “For the first team boys it was good for them to get that first 45 minutes under their belt.

“Our pre-season has been a little bit longer than usual, we’ve already had two weeks and that’s gone well.

“When it goes well you’re always confident going into the first game but you never know.

“It was professional in the first period and then good from the younger lads in the second to show Guy what they have.

“We started really well, and the boys have put the work in.

“Matches are a different type of fitness and although they’ve done a lot of fitness work recently, there’s no substitute for playing real minutes on the pitch.”

Matthew was also keen to highlight the positive impact the new faces have already made on the side.

He added: “The new lads have settled in very well and the fact that all three started in one week gave everyone a bit of a lift and some confidence.

“Hopefully now Guy and everyone behind the scenes are working hard now to get some more new faces in.

“Pre-season is all about bonding and getting the new faces in, so hopefully in the next few weeks we can do just that.”

The first half at Park View Road saw the Addicks adopt a 3-5-2 formation, a creative style which Matthew hinted could be more common for the upcoming campaign.

He said: “We played 3-5-2 today and we are trying to be more creative this year.

“We were well organised last season and we’re trying some new things this campaign now.

“I felt the movement of Karlan Ahearne-Grant and Tony Watt up front demonstrated that and they both looked bright.”

The first half also saw youngster Regan Charles-Cook handed a start on the right of the Addicks’ midfield and he certainly made a good impression on the coaching staff.

Matthew added: “Regan is a great talent and we saw that in the first half today, ever since he was a young lad we’ve known about him.

“It’s always great to see someone like him do well.

“He’s very level-headed and the more experience and exposure he gets with us the better he will be.”

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