HARRY Lennon says Jordan Cousins, Callum Harriott and Joe Pigott are all inspirations to the club’s youngsters after he became the latest home-grown talent to break into the first team.

The 18-year-old defender made his debut as a first half substitute for the injured Cedric Evina in Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup fourth round success at Huddersfield.

That result booked a trip to Sheffield Wednesday, the first time Charlton have reached the last 16 since 2006, but for Lennon the victory over the Terriers will live long in the memory for other reasons.

He said: “It was very good coming on in the 35th minute.

“I didn’t think I would get on that early so it was good, and obviously getting the result as well was very good.

“My mum and dad come every time I’m in the squad. They always make the trip up and I’ve been waiting for my debut. It came today and it was good.

“They will be proud. My dad will be well happy with that.”

Lennon added: “You’ve seen Jordan, Cal, Joe Pigott – they’ve all been given a chance this season, even with Diego Poyet last Tuesday.

“All of the boys in the U21s team they’ve all got a chance.

“If you are doing well in the U21s the gaffer will put you in.”

Huddersfield threw on Sean Scannell early in the second half to try and exploit Lennon’s inexperience, but the youngster was more than a match for the former Crystal Palace winger.

He recalls: “I don’t normally play left-back, I normally play centre-back.

“It was much different from the U21 games but it was good.

“I thought I was doing well before Scannell came on but obviously it got a bit harder because he was trying to run me.

“I think they were trying to target me a bit but I thought I did fairly well against him.

“I don’t think I let him get past me too many times and I thought I done well.”

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