CHRIS Dickson says he is determined to fire Charlton back to the Premier League after finally making his first team debut on Saturday.

The rookie striker from Plumstead, who signed from non-league Dulwich Hamlet last season, entered the fray against West Bromwich Albion when he replaced Izale McLeod 13 minutes from the end.

Dickson almost made an immediate impact when he came close to grabbing a winner in the 84th minute, but he believes it is only a matter of time before he breaks his Addicks duck.

He said: "I think that would have capped it off. It has come across and neither I or the defender were ready and it has just hit my arm and I've tried to smash it in with my other arm, but Dean Kiely has grabbed hold of it.

"It gave me a little moment to think "not today son", but it will definitely come though.

He added: "I was always made aware the new year was when I would get my chance and was told at the beginning of the season I was going out on loan.

"I went on loan and did the business and now I've got to do the business here and hopefully get us back into the Premier League."

Dickson admitted the reaction of the crowd to his introduction had given him a major lift and now he is bidding to give the Charlton fans something to really cheer about.

He said: "When you are on the bench you try and block everything out and focus, but I could hear the fans chanting my name and it is just crazy.

"I knew the pressure was going to be on, but you've got to enjoy yourself because it is the FA Cup.

"When I came on the stadium erupted and I just took it all on board and the adrenalin carried me through, but it has been a long time coming so hopefully I can get a few goals now.

"Everybody sees me as an underdog from the ghetto, so I'm here to prove people wrong and make a hero out of myself if I can."

Dickson enjoyed a prolific spell at Gillingham by scoring 11 goals and the striker has no doubt his brief stay at Priestfield was an invaluable experience.

He explained: "Mark Stinson came in and turned my game around because he had me playing all different kind of roles by playing me up front on my own and playing me with Delroy Facey as well and Adam Miller behind me.

"It made it really easy for me and I've learned about different aspects of my game and improved them, so I've definitely come back a better player.

"Goal scoring is not really the problem, I think it is my all round play which has improved and being aware of players around me.

"Once I've started to integrate with players and bring them into the game as well it can only make me a better player."

Dickson made a promising, if brief, start against West Brom at the weekend and will be pulling out all the stops to impress Alan Pardew ahead of this Saturday's game against Blackpool.

He said: "I've got to get down to business in training, knuckle down and keep banging in the goals on the training ground and fingers crossed the gaffer will pick me for Blackpool and we will go from there.

"Pards has told me to keep working hard because there are three strikers in front of me right now and I've got to knuckle down.

"Just because I've gone to Gillingham and scored a lot of goals, it doesn't mean I can come back here and walk into the team as simply as that.

"I've got to keep proving myself and hopefully I will break into the team and start getting some goals."