Charlton prepared for League One life

Parkinson has had his hands tied in the transfer market with no money to spend and he admitted it has been a frustrating time for him.

He said: "It's been a difficult pre-season in terms of the takeover, or what's been going on behind the scenes, but it's been a good pre-season in terms of the attitude of the players, which has been first class.

"Obviously it's been myself and the staff's job to shield the players away from that. We're not the only club in that situation. Portsmouth and Newcastle are in the same boat.

"We've shielded the players from it as much as possible. It has been a difficult summer in that respect of things going on in the background but I can't praise the lads enough for their attitude and application in pre-season. It's been very good.

"Fitness wise they are ready. The players we have got have worked hard and we feel as though we are prepared for the game on Saturday."

A big exodus of players over the summer has left Parkinson's squad looking thin, with players like Matt Holland, Andy Gray and Chris Dickson all in limbo about their futures.

However, Charlton have managed to add some players to their squad, including Scotland international Christain Dailly, who is likely to make his league debut for the club tomorrow.

Parkinson is not underestimating Wycombe, who were promoted from League Two last season.

He said: "It's going to be a big day for both teams. Obviously Wycombe have come up and it's a big day for them. We've watched all the games in pre-season and they've had some good performances so we know it's going to be a tough game.

"We've got a lot of respect for Wycombe and the manager and we know it's going to be a tough game."

The team will be captained by Nicky Bailey. Parkinson admitted he had options for the armband but Bailey was the natural choice.

He said: "Nicky Bailey is the type of player who leads by example on the pitch. He's a winner. He's a leader and that's what I want spreading through the club."

"Frazer Richardson captained Leeds for a while. Christian Dailly has come in and is a captain but I felt Nicky, for what he did last year, deserved the armband and will do it justice.

"I said to him it's a great honour to be captain of a club this size, with all the history. If someone said to him two or three years ago when he was at Barnet that he'd be captain of Charlton then he probably wouldn't have believed it."

Charlton v Wycombe Wanderers

Venue: The Valley

Kick-off: 3pm