Charlton youngster Aaron Barnes hopes to follow close pals Ezri Konsa and Joe Aribo into Addicks first-team

Barnes, 20, has featured in the Addicks’ pre-season games and wants to push for a place in Karl Robinson’s side.

The young full-back made his Valley debut against Swindon on the final day of the 2016/17 campaign.

And he says the progression of Konsa and Aribo, who have become established first-teamers since taking their chance last term, gives him hope of doing the same.

Barnes told News Shopper: “They are both mates of mine, we’ve been playing in the Under-18s and reserve teams for many years.

Joe Aribo | Picture: Benjamin Peters Photography 

“Just seeing them play week in, week out, getting the exposure they’re getting can only be a positive for us young players.

“We know that there’s a pathway at this club, it just gives us extra confidence to know that if we do perform, the club will hopefully play us.”

Charlton’s academy have produced some of football’s brightest talents such as Scott Parker, Joe Gomez and Ademola Lookman.

Konsa, who is attracting interest from Arsenal and Everton, and Aribo are the latest kids to star for Charlton.

Konsa, 19, played 39 times last term, while Aribo, 20, made 22 appearances - both players are highly-rated by Valley boss Robinson.

Ezri Konsa

And Barnes admits he has been asking the young duo for tips on how to break into the senior team.

He said: “We’re very close. We’re always looking out for each other, giving little tips here and there, how they deal with the first-team pressure, whether it’s a seamless transition or not, but they’ll always guide you along the way.

“We’re more or less the same age so it’s good.”

MORE: 5 things we learned from Charlton’s double-header against Welling and Greenwich Borough

Barnes impressed in Charlton’s 4-0 win over Greenwich Borough on Saturday, which capped off a second win of the day after beating Welling earlier.

It has been a gruelling start to pre-season for the Addicks, playing five games in less than a week.

Barnes added: “I’m still quite young so I haven't had many pre-seasons.

“It’s been the most testing one for me, doing the beach runs in Ireland in the early hours of the morning. But we’ll benefit from it, we’ve worked really hard and it’s going to put us in good stead.”