Varney ready for new examination

Charlton striker Luke Varney can't wait until the pre-season campaign kicks off in earnest on Monday.

Luke Varney nets the first of his famous two goals against Crystal Palace

The 25-year-old likened the first day back at Sparrows Lane to going back to school, and promised to sharpen up to help his side pass their promotion examination this time round.

"I'm definitely excited about getting back,” said Varney, who hit eight goals in his debut campaign at The Valley last term.

"Last year was a disappointing season for me personally, and for the team as well, but I think if everyone shows the same appetite that I will be showing then we will be all right.”

Varney, who is fully recovered from a minor hernia operation at the start of the summer, was one of a number of first-teamers to pop in to Sparrows Lane ahead of the first day of term next Monday, and he is champing at the bit to catch up with the class of 2008/09.

"To be honest, I'm like a little kid going back to school,” he continued. "I'm excited and in the last couple of days of my holiday I was itching to get back.

"My life is football and I just want to get the games going now. I'm feeling fit and strong after the operation and want to carry on scoring goals for Charlton.”

Pre-season was unkind to the forward last season, despite a flying start when he netted in the first two summer sharpeners at Welling United and against a Chelsea XI.

It was in the latter match at the Blues' training ground that the former Crewe Alexandra striker picked up an ankle injury that would delay his first-team debut until mid-September.

"That was massively disappointing to be out for eight weeks,” admitted Luke, who emerged from the bench for the first time in Addicks colours during a 2-2 draw at Colchester United.

"It started well for me in the first two games but it was really disappointing to pick up the injury as I wanted to show everyone what I was all about.

"Of course it set me back a bit, but I've got no excuses really. I didn't achieve what I wanted to achieve last year.

"I've got a lot more to show the fans, and especially the manager.”

Championship football was not a new experience for the Leicester-born frontman, Varney having previously competed in the second tier for the Railwaymen, but he admitted it did come as a bit of a culture shock.

"It was different the last time I was there with Crewe,” Luke said. "We were scratching around for points at the other end of the table and every one we got was absolutely massive.

"I came to the Scunthorpe game last season and thought we would beat them comfortably, but straight away you could see how difficult teams like that make it for you.

"I understand the expectation levels at Charlton better now and the gaffer did say that individually we would be better off for the experiences of last season.

Varney can't wait for the start of pre-season on Monday

"I was surprised at the level of performances required week in, week out, and although I did show flashes of what I can do, I wasn't consistent enough.

"That's what I will be aiming for this year, to put it in on the pitch each and every week.”

Already assured of a drink if he ever bumps into a Charlton supporter thanks to his superb two-goal salvo against Crystal Palace in February, Varney lists that famous 2-0 win as the best moment of his short spell in SE7.

"I enjoyed the last game of the season against Coventry and the home match against Blackpool,” he said. "But to get both goals in a local derby was very good for me and for the fans as well.”

It was in the final fixture of last season that Varney and Andy Gray showed real signs of a flourishing strike partnership, combining in terrific style against Coventry City as Varney's back-heel set up his fellow frontman for one of the goals of the season.

"It's definitely good to get a partnership going,” said Luke, who played alongside five different strikers last term. "At Crewe I had that with Nick Maynard, and I've always felt comfortable playing with Andy.

"I think we're quite different and he's good with the ball at his feet and playing other people in. Even in training we have a good understanding.

"If you look back, we only actually played together from the start six times, and two of those were against Palace and Coventry. I look forward to maybe renewing that partnership in the new season.”

Should Varney and Gray make Alan Pardew's teamsheet on the opening day of the campaign, newcomers Swansea City will lie in wait at The Valley.

Varney struck against the Swans for Crewe on Boxing Day 2006 and said: "I've played against them a couple of times and scored once. I know a few of the lads there, so hopefully I can grab another goal.

"Coming to Charlton for the first game of the season will be like a cup final for them, I suppose. They will be looking forward to it but we will be looking to get a comfortable win and three points on the board.”