Ben Garner has high hopes for Charlton Athletic midfielder Aaron Henry and feels the player has 'great talent' and the ability to potentially be an important player for them.

The Addicks have had a solid start to the new League One campaign, with only one loss so far in their opening six games.

They currently sit in eighth place in the division and will be hoping to be back amongst the promotion hopefuls this season after a mid-table finish in 2021-22.

New head coach Garner has mixed up the team and refreshed them over the summer in order to get them firing, and one player that he has entrusted with his first league showing at the club is Henry.

The 19-year-old had never made an appearance for Charlton prior to this campaign but since Garner has taken the reigns, he has been handed a debut in League One, having spent time last season on loan at non-league Wealdstone.

During that loan stint, he impressed massively in the National League with 20 appearances and two goals for the Stones.

Now, back in the EFL, Henry is hoping to kick on even more and Garner seemingly believes that he can.

Speaking about the long-term plans for Henry, the Charlton boss said, per London News Online: "He is a player that I’d like to keep here for the future and the longer term.

"He has got great talent and great ability - lots to learn and improve, which he is well aware of. But he wants to do it - improve and add to his game.

“He has got the talent, for sure, to do well in his career."

The Verdict

Aaron Henry has shown already that he can be an asset when given some competitive action but has yet to test himself in the third tier.

In the National League, there is no question that he can do a job there given his time with Wealdstone.

He looked sharp during his time at the club and if allowed to play regularly there again, you would expect him to continue to thrive outside of the EFL.

However, with the player untested in League One, it's not clear whether he is quite up to the required standard there or not yet.

Ben Garner seems well prepared to give him the chance though and has been impressed it seems with the work that the 19-year-old has put in, because the manager is now raving about his talents.

If the former Swindon boss can develop him well at the Valley, then he could certainly turn out to be the next exciting young player off the conveyor belt at Charlton.