Charlton Athletic midfielder Mark Gower believes that the clubs coming down from the Premier League will only have a marginal advantage in the Championship next season.

Queens Park Rangers, Wigan Athletic and Reading will receive parachute payments after their relegation last season, but Gower, a new signing at The Valley, has insisted that a number of teams are capable of setting the pace in the second tier of English football next year.

The 34-year-old told the London Evening Standard: "Obviously you've got to look at the teams that have come down, because they've got the parachute payments and their budgets will be higher.

"But there are so many teams that it would be difficult to pick three to get promoted at this stage.

"It's such a blood and thunder league. Games come thick and fast and there are some good teams. The majority of the teams are filled with Premier League experience in the Championship now."

The former Swansea City player spent time on loan at Charlton last season before sealing a permanent deal to the club earlier this month.