Charlton’s players report back for training on Wednesday, and will be based in Portugal for a training camp from Sunday until Friday 6 July.
Lee Bowyer is a big believer in taking players out of their normal environment in the build up to the season.
He believes it helps the squad bond and builds team spirit.
Because of the training camp, the opening pre-season game at Welling has been switched again, and will now be played on Saturday 14 July with a 12.30pm kick-off.
With no game scheduled in Portugal, it means the Addicks will have been back in training for more than two weeks before they play a match.
Bowyer may try to arrange a game of some sort in the week leading up to the Welling clash.
Here are the caretaker boss’ thoughts on the trip to Portugal:
”It’s a chance to bring everybody together and be in the same environment throughout the days and nights.
“It’s massive. When you are in a place like that you pull each other through because it’s going to be tough.
“That’s what we’re going to make sure they realise from day one when they come in on Wednesday and when we do go out there, they are all pushing and fighting for their positions.
“You have to build a spirit and we’ve done that in a short space of time, but now we’ve got more of an opportunity to do it over a longer period of time in a different environment so they can be together every day.
“It’s going to be hard work but it is something that is going to bring them together ready for the start of the season.”
Bowyer has revealed he is close to signing a couple of players, who could be on the plane to Portugal.
Here is what he had to say:
“We are very close with two. Very, very close – I’ve literally just spoken to an agent now, funny enough he is a friend of mine – I played with him before.
“We are trying to push that one through. It’s the main two I am looking to complete. They have been a big push for the last week or so.
“We’re definitely close. There is another club interested in one of them. I’m trying to pull any small strings – I’m trying the mate thing and everything with the agent!
“It will be the player’s decision. We can’t control that. We can only offer what we can offer and the other team will offer what they can offer.
“By the end of today (Monday) we should know if he is coming to us or going to them.”
The player in question is believed to be AFC Wimbledon striker, Lyle Taylor, who impessed Bowyer when Charlton played at Kingsmeadow last season.
The other side thought to be interested in him are Sunderland, though the Black Cats signed Bury front man, Chris Maguire, on Monday evening.
Another newcomer who could be on the plane on Sunday is Lee Turner’s replacement. The Addicks are expected to appoint their new goalkeeping coach in the next day or so.
Igor Vetokele – who has been out on loan for the past two seasons – will return to Sparrows Lane for pre-season training. Bowyer has never met the player, and gave these thoughts on the striker:
”He’s been out on loan in the 18 months I’ve been here, so it will be interesting to see what he is like, on the pitch and off the pitch.
“I’ve heard good things about him and I know that I’m going to have players coming in. Everyone is going to be fighting for their place.
“Jacko has mentioned him and said he’s a decent player. He’s been away a long time playing abroad, so you don’t know what his fitness will be like or anything.
“It’s completely different to the English game, especially in League One where it is so physical and demanding – whether he’ll be ready for that I don’t know but I’m looking forward to meeting him, for sure.”
It seems certain that Vetokele will be sold, or loaned out again, before the new season begins.