Jon Walters reckons the Championship will be as difficult as ever next season given the teams promoted from League One.

There are many in the game that feel the second flight will not be as strong as 2009/10 with the three relegated clubs unlikely to be in a strong position to follow the lead of Newcastle and West Brom and make an immediate return to the Premier League.

Portsmouth face a well documented uncertain future, Hull have their own financial worries and Burnley are sticking to a rigid budget that could mean some of their players will have to move on. There are also doubts over manager Brian Laws' future at Turf Moor.

"I can see the argument that the Championship next season might be weaker than this one but then you have to look at the teams coming up," Jon told the Club website.

"Norwich have done well and bounced back at the first attempt and Leeds are a big club. Millwall have players that have been together for a while and if they can progress through the Play-Offs, they will be a threat.

"The three promoted clubs will not come up expecting to be bottom of the table. They will be looking to really push on.

"The clubs coming down may all have financial concerns but they are big clubs. I was at Hull and I know how important that club is to the local area.

"Newcastle and West Brom were the favourites to go back up and next season will be a lot more open I think but it's going to be as hard as always to finish in the top six, let alone the top two."