ALAN CURBISHLEY has admitted it will be a major disappointment if his team fails to secure their highest ever Premiership finish this season.

The Charlton boss insists that eclipsing the ninth place his side managed three seasons ago is his primary aim.

He said: “All of us are determined that the first thing we need to do is to finish higher than ninth and if that means we also qualify for Europe - great.”

Meanwhile, discussions with regard to a pre-season tour of China are underway but not finalised, according to the club.

A Chinese newspaper has announced that the Addicks would play two matches in Shanghai in mid-July, but Charlton chief executive Peter Varney says the revelation is premature.

He said: “People are jumping the gun.”