Bristol City boss Gary Johnson believes the calibre of Championship teams next season will make it akin to a "second Premier League".Reading, Birmingham and Derby will all come down following their relegation, swelling the number of clubs in the division with recent top-flight experience and the financial benefit of parachute payments to six.

Johnson believes the second tier will be stronger than ever when the new campaign kicks off in August.

"To all intents and purposes, it is a second Premier League. There will be a lot of players and clubs with recent Premier League experience and that will only enhance standards," said Johnson. "Most of the clubs in the Championship have been in the top flight at some stage over the past decade.

"We are going to be up against some big clubs almost every week and it will be a fantastic challenge. Watford, Charlton and Sheffield United will have their parachute money available to them for another season, while the three relegated clubs will also be able to buy big in the summer.

"That is going to make it even tougher. Those six clubs will all be able to afford Premier League wages and transfer fees. Queens Park Rangers are also threatening to throw big money at it through their billionaire owners and it is bound to force prices up."

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