Assistant manager Phil Parkinson believes Charlton's pre-season tour of Spain will be crucial in developing team spirit as well as fitness.

The squad flew out on Monday for an eight-day training camp near Cadiz, which will include a couple of behind-closed-doors friendlies.

And Parkinson insists it will be an important exercise, particularly for new signings Mark Hudson and Stuart Fleetwood.

"Spirits are high ahead of the trip and it's always good to get away as a group," he told the club's official website.

"It will give the likes of Mark Hudson and Stuart Fleetwood the chance to get to know everyone, as well as giving the younger players in the squad their first real taste of being away with the first team.

"With the heat out there we'll be training early in the morning, but then there will be sessions in the gym so we'll be working the players hard to make sure they come back fitter and stronger in eight days' time."