CHARLTON may have had four players named in the League One PFA team of the season but the absence of Chris Solly and Yann Kermorgant raised a few eyebrows.

Ben Hamer, Rhoys Wiggins, Michael Morrison and Johnnie Jackson were the quartet recognised but manager Chris Powell today acknowledged the absence of Solly and Kermorgant hadn’t come as a complete surprise to him “Yes and no,” he said when asked.

“With regards to Chris Solly we see him week in, week out.

“The players who vote only see him once or twice.

“He may have impressed against them but I think we’ve seen the development of Chris over the course of the season and the benefits of playing week in, week out.”

Powell added: “He has been around a few years and sadly for him he had one or two knocks, but this year he has been fit and outstanding and we all know that.

“I think that is why maybe we would feel disappointed.

“With regards to Yann, Yann came in September/October time but I think he has just been beaten by people who have scored a higher volume of goals. That is basically it.

“I’m sure he would have got a few votes but sometimes the voting is fair and is right.

“It is quite late, I think people think it is done in January but it is done in March just weeks before the dinner.

“I know Yann would have been at the forefront of a lot of people’s minds but I think people have just looked at the volume of goals scored by other players.”

Powell was also keen to praise the Charlton players who were chosen by their fellow professionals.

He said: “We got four lads in the team on Sunday and the staff and a number of players went to the dinner.

“It is just recognition and further accolades for this wonderful group of players I’ve got this year.

“We are still in a really good place and have done exactly what we set out to do.

“These are two games where there is absolutely no pressure, it doesn’t matter what happens.

“I know everyone wants us to get 100 points, which would be great, but I’m not too worried about that because we are champions, we are promoted and are a Championship club next year.”

And the manager is determined to enjoy the luxury of the pressure being off when the Addicks head to Deepdale on Saturday.

He added: “It is something which rarely happens to many teams and if you are in that position you’ve done wonderfully well through the course of the season.

“We’ve trained well, the boys are in great heart, which is really pleasing for us all, and we go to our last away game at Preston.

“We’ve done ever so well away from home this year and we could arguably say it has been the cornerstone of our success.

“I know a lot of our fans are going up in fancy dress and it would be a great day for them.

“I hope they enjoy themselves and of course everyone is looking forward to May 5 the Hartlepool game and the presentation of the trophy.

“It will be a special moment for everyone connected with Charlton.”

The manager revealed some of his fringe players could expect to feature at the weekend, although he ruled it out for the Hartlepool game next Saturday.

Powell said: “Really you’ve got to look at it that the players have done ever so well this year and a few of them have dipped in and played a few games and come out and had to be patient, maybe not played too much as well.

“So I will definitely take that into account with regards to the team because I know against Hartlepool really the players who have played the majority of the year and have played such pivotal parts in our season, I feel it is only right they play and be involved in that game.

“I will look at one or two players who can come into the equation against Preston.”

But there will be no repeat of last season’s decision to hand a start to Callum Harriott or any other member of Charlton’s successful youth academy.

Powell added: “No chance because my squad is quite big and it wouldn’t be right to be playing one of those boys in games like this.

“I can see people arguing that point but I’ve got more than enough players without even thinking about bringing the youth team players into the equation.”

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