Lee Bowyer believes Jay Dasilva will play in the Premier League one day - and has compared the youngster to Chelsea legend Ashley Cole.

Dasilva, 20, has thrived in his second loan spell at Charlton this season, raking up 42 appearances.

Bowyer was full of praise for the left-back, who won the club’s Player of the Year award on Monday.

Speaking ahead of Charlton’s play-off semi-final first leg against Shrewsbury tomorrow, the Addicks caretaker boss said: “He’s been outstanding.

“He had an injury a little while ago but for a young lad to come and play and perform the way he has, he’s been a credit to himself.

“He’s a top professional. For such a young lad, you'd think he’d be in his mid-20s. He doesn't say a bad word, he’s not a bad person in and around the training ground or on matchdays.

“When I left him out for a couple of games after he’d come back from injury, I never heard a word from him. He was like ‘yes Bow, no worries’. He’s just a top lad. I think he’ll go far in the game.”

Dasilva joined Charlton on loan in January 2017 before returning for a second time last summer.

The England Under-20s defender has three years left to run on his Chelsea deal - and Bowyer thinks he’s better than Ashley Cole was at his age.

MORE: Charlton handed massive injury boost ahead of Shrewsbury games​

Cole, a three-time Premier League winner, starred for Chelsea and England.

Bowyer added: “I can’t see why he couldn't play in the Premier League. He’s very similar to Ashley Cole.

“He’s probably better than Ashley Cole was at his age. I played against Ashley at a young age and everyone knows how good he was. He was probably our best offensive left-back for a long, long time.

“Jay’s the same. Everybody thinks because he’s small he might struggle. But he’s unbelievable in the air.

“He uses his body so well at the far post. Everyone thinks ‘we’ll pick him out, we’ll get balls to the far post’ but he uses his body so they don't get a clear header against him. People don't score from it. He’s an exceptional player.”

Dasilva has established himself as Charlton’s first-choice left-back and is set to play a crucial role in their play-off games.

Charlton’s chances of keeping Dasilva at the Valley for a third successive season hinge on the club gaining promotion to the Championship.

He said: “I’d be surprised if he was playing in League One again next season.

“Obviously I'm not focusing on that, I'm just focusing on us getting promotion, and then you look at your squad and go from there. That’s not my problem, trust me.”

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