Lee Bowyer EXCLUSIVE: Charlton boss admits he wants to manage former club West Ham in the future ahead of Carabao Cup showdown

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer has told talkSPORT of his ambition to one day manage London rivals West Ham.

Bowyer takes his side to east London for their Carabao Cup second round meeting on Tuesday and admitted taking charge of his beloved Hammers would be a dream - just like it was when he played there.

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"It's really special [to be going back]. Growing up as a West Ham fan and playing there as well," Bowyer said.

"It's going to be a bit surreal going there as a manager. It's like I've gone through every stage of going to a West Ham stadium, so I'm looking forward to it.

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"I have some great memories of my dad taking me as a baby and then I started going with my friends.

"That's probably one of the best moments of my career, as a kid everyone wants to play for the team they support as a kid.

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"Having the fans singing my name will be something I never forget so hopefully one day I might be able to manage them, so I can go the full circle."

The two clubs haven't played each other since 2007 when the relationship between the two clubs was a bit frostier owing to West Ham nabbing Jermain Defoe from their academy in 1999.

When pushed on the West Ham links, he added: "Of course [I want to manage West Ham]. I love the club. I played there for a few years. I want to be successful and I have to keep pushing myself.

"West Ham is a club that one day in the future I would like to manage. It's a great club and they've got some great players."

The recently relegated Addicks got their League One campaign off to the best possible start with a 2-0 win at Crewe, while West Ham lost by the same scoreline at home to Newcastle.

While Bowyer appreciates the gulf in quality between the two sides, he has backed his side to give David Moyes' a run for their money at the London Stadium - in a game which is LIVE on talkSPORT.

"You're talking about a multi-million pound squad - there's no comparison. But my team will turn up and do the right things," he explained.

"It's a cup game at the end of the day. My players will be up for it because they're playing against Premiership players in a beautiful stadium.

"They might have a little bit more energy in the beginning because they'll be a bit hyper, but the most important thing is that the two teams come through the game with no injuries.

"Especially for us because we're on bare bones at the moment, but we'll give it our best shot and try and win the game for sure."