Young Charlton defender Tareiq Holmes-Dennis admitted that Wednesday’s 2-0 win at Dagenham and Redbridge couldn’t have gone much better.

Introduced as a second half substitute at Victoria Road, the full-back played his part in keeping a clean sheet in the second period, as well as scoring the Addicks’ second goal of the evening with a stunning free-kick.

“I’m really delighted to come on and play my part in a clean sheet, and to get a goal like that makes it really good all round,” he said.

“I’m always working on my shooting on the training ground, even when there’s nobody in goal I still try my luck so I thought I’d try my luck this evening and it worked.”

Speaking after the game at Victoria Road, the defender revealed both his personal ambitions for the upcoming campaign, as well as his preferred position out on the field.

“The ambition is to play for the first team, but that may not be here at the moment, because I just want to play games.

“Last season I went on loan to the lower divisions and played a lot there, so I’ve got to knuckle down now in pre-season and see what pans out,” he continued.

“Left-back is my preferred position, but at Plymouth I played more as a wing-back on the left side when we played with three central defenders and I liked it there, but full back is more natural for me.

“The manager hasn’t said too much to me so far, but I just have to take each day as it comes at the moment and keep working hard.

“Personally my plan is to play here at Charlton so hopefully that chance will come – but if I had to go out on loan I’d be happy to again.

“I much prefer to play in front of lots of fans as opposed to development and reserve team games, so wherever it may be I’ll just take it in my stride.”

Holmes-Dennis also emphasised the importance and the significance the academy plays at the club, with the side full of academy graduates at present in SE7.

“Coming through the academy and progressing into the first team as a youngster here means a lot to me, I’ve been here since I was eight.”

The most high profile departure of recent times has been Joe Gomez to Liverpool, a move which the full-back was also keen to highlight and praise.

“Joe’s rise is crazy, just two seasons ago we were playing in the same team in the FA Youth Cup, and now he’s playing with the likes of Jordan Henderson and Nathaniel Clyne is inspiring for all of us here.

“It’s also amazing how quickly it all happened, he broke into the first team in pre-season and then by the end he’s at Liverpool in the first team.”