Ezri Konsa is benefiting from having solid role models at Charlton, according to Russell Slade.

The 18-year-old defender has made a substantial impact at the Valley after impressing during pre-season.

The academy graduate has played in Charlton’s last three games and was influential in securing a clean sheet against Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday evening.

When asked about Konsa’s rise, Slade said: “Every game will be a massive, massive learning curve for him.

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“There’s a few little habits we need to sort out and help him with.

“But he’s got some good role models around him now, with the likes of [Jason] Pearce and [Andrew] Crofts.

“There are some good role models around and I think that’s very important for the younger players.”

After a difficult start to the season, the Addicks sealed their first League One victory against the Shrews at the Valley.

A brace from Ricky Holmes and a Johnnie Jackson strike secured the three points – all that was missing for the home side was a goal for summer signing Nicky Ajose.

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The 24-year-old, who netted 24 goals for Swindon Town last season, missed a glorious chance in the second-half to open his account for the South Londoners.

But Slade feels Ajose is just one goal away from recapturing the form which made him such hot property earlier in the summer.

“He’s just got to keep going,” the 55-year-old boss said.

“It can happen to strikers and they breed on confidence sometimes and need a goal to get them going.

“But it can be like buses. You wait for ages and then two or three come along at once – I hope that’s the case with him.”

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