Charlton’s Jonathan Leko was the stand out performer in England’s Under-20 goalless draw with the Netherlands on Thursday.

The West Bromwich Albion attacker lead the line for the Young Lions at Shrewsbury’s Montgomery Waters Meadow and came in for some glowing praise from his coach.

The attacker, who came through the Baggies’ youth ranks predominantly as a winger, has enjoyed a more advanced role under Lee Bowyer with Charlton, and he’s taken his good form into the international set-up, impressing as a central striker.

“What everyone has to understand is he is in the first throws of playing as a number nine,” England Under 20’s boss Keith Downing told the Express&Star.

“Charlton are giving him that licence to play up-front.

“So it’s a really, really important year for him.

“I think he has got a future there.

“I have been impressed with him at Charlton.

“He has done really well, started really well.

"He got himself a goal on Saturday (against Reading).

“He causes problems, he has got some trickery – we all know that.

"I think with Jonathan everyone just has to be a bit patient with him.

“He has huge potential.

“He is one of those that you have to keep supporting because potentially he has a big future in the game."

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Leko, 20, has flourished at The Valley since his summer loan, scoring one and assisting two as the Addicks went into the international break sitting second in the Championship.

England Under-20s face Switzerland on Monday night.