Albion head into the match as heavy favourites, but Powell highlighted the continual improvement of teams in the second tier and is expecting a stern test from the Addicks on Sunday.
She said, “Everyone wants to play their part and it’s important to give players minutes where we can, but that’s in no way disrespecting the Conti Cup because we want to do well in it.
“It’s a really good chance for the players to test themselves in a different formation, and gives everyone an opportunity to contribute to what we’re trying to do this season.
“The teams in the Championship might not all be full time, but the investment in those clubs is becoming more regular and the players are becoming more durable every day in training.
“The contests are going to be a lot harder than last season, so we’ve got to be prepared for that. It’s something which we should take seriously, and just because they’re a league below us, it doesn’t mean they won’t put us under any less pressure.”
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Albion edged out the Addicks 1-0 in a pre-season friendly in the summer, and Powell is wary of the threat posed by a young Charlton side that includes former Seagulls midfielder Jenna Legg.
“They are a decent side, and we know that after playing them in what was a very challenging pre-season friendly", she continued.
“They’ve got some decent players and some good youth internationals in their team, which includes Katy Startup in goal, alongside the likes of Charlie Devlin and Jenna Legg, who used to be here. We’ll have to be at our best to beat them.”
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The Albion manager admits that expectations outside the camp have risen following last Sunday’s impressive 1-1 draw with Chelsea, and says her players should relish the added scrutiny which comes after achieving good results.
“We’re aware that after a very good result against Chelsea, teams will look at us slightly differently. That puts more pressure on our players, as they’re going from being underdogs to those that are expected to win.
“That being said, it’s a position we want to be in and the players want to prove why they should be favourites in this game.”