"He'll go to war with you but with the ball at his feet, he can play. He's got a big future."It's hard to think of much higher praise for a young centre-back to receive than the words that Charlton Athletic boss Dean Holden had for Lucas Ness after Saturday's 2-0 win over Barnsley at The Valley but anyone that has watched the 20-year-old in recent weeks will know that those plaudits are well deserved.He was playing non-league football in November but the ease with which he's stepped up suggests Charlton could have quite the player on their hands.Recalled from a loan spell at National League side Torquay United on the 1st of December, Ness was handed his League One debut the following day in a 1-0 defeat to Cheltenham Town.That would prove to be the final game of Ben Garner's tenure but the changes in the dugout only brought more opportunities for the young defender.He played his part as Charlton edged past Brighton in the last 16 of the EFL Cup, helping the Addicks keep a clean sheet to take the game to a penalty shoot-out they eventually won, and then was named in the starting XI for Dean Holden's first game at the helm, a 1-1 draw against Peterborough United.The defender has played every minute of every game since. He's been trusted by Holden as part of a back three, as a centre-back in a back four, on the left side of the defence after Todd Kane's injury against Barnsley, and even away against Manchester United at Old Trafford – and has repaid his manager's faith each time."Credit to him," said Holden when asked about the 20-year-old's whirlwind rise since the start of December."I said to him yesterday in training, it's a long way from where he was at Torquay. He's playing at Old Trafford and he's playing in League One against some really good teams and some good opponents."He looks assured. I love his mentality. He doesn't want any spotlight. I don't know what he was like in front of you guys but I can imagine he was calm."He brings a calmness to that defence. Ryan alongside him as the senior member."His positioning was good today, there was one I remember in the second half they got behind our backline and he got into that John Terry position at the near post. Got himself a brilliant block."The defender spent time in the Fulham ranks as a youngster and had a trial spell with Leicester City but it was as a regular in the starting XI of Southern League Premier Division South side Metropolitan Police FC at the age of just 18 that he appears to have caught Charlton's eye.He earned his move to The Valley in the summer of 2020, signing after a successful trial with the club, and was part of the youth system up until last year when he was sent out on loan to Hampton & Richmond Borough in the National League South in the spring and then Torquay in the autumn.When he was recalled from the National League side amid a defensive injury crisis, Ness expected to be little more than a squad player. It is fair to say that things have played out quite differently but he is relishing his first taste of regular football in the EFL."I've been really enjoying it," the 20-year-old explained. "I've picked up a bit of form. There have been some massive games – Brighton, Man United – it's all new to me in this sort of setting. I'm just buzzing to be a part of it."He added: "I got recalled, I was sort of expecting to be a squad player. On the bench, just there in case of any injuries or suspensions."Coming into the team, I'm buzzing to be a part of it. Hopefully, it can continue."It's a competitive squad, we know that. There are an awful lot of players fighting for each position. It's tough but I've just got to keep my head down, keep working, and hopefully, I can keep the shirt."Sam Lavelle and Eoghan O'Connell are both now fit but you'd be hard-pressed to find a Charlton fan that thinks either should start in his place and his impressive statistics certainly aid his cause.Of Addicks players with more than five League One appearances in 2022/23, Ness averages the most clearances (6), the most blocks (1.2), the second-most interceptions (1.5), the third-most successful aerial duels (3), and the joint-fourth most tackles (1.7) per 90 (Whoscored).His passing stats back up Holden's praise as well, as he averages the third-most passes per game of any Charlton player with more than five League One appearances this term with a success rate of 81.9%.Ness passes the eye test as well. Against Barnsley, his reading of the game and defensive positioning meant he was well-placed time and time again to shut down the opposition raids forward.It was thanks in no small part to some fantastic defending from the youngster that the Addicks secured a first clean sheet in the league since October - ending a run of 10 games without one.By the player's own admission, the appointment of Holden, a former defender himself, has helped him adapt to League One."The boys love him," Ness said of the new man in the Addicks dugout. "There's an awful lot of togetherness in the camp and I think that shows in the performances. Can't say a bad word about him."He continued: "Of course, a former defender – it is sort of perfect for me really because he's played countless games. He's always given me advice as well as Anthony Hayes, Scott Marshall, as well as the boys."Playing alongside Ryan Innis and Eoghan O'Connell today, it's such a massive help for me. I'm still trying to learn the trade."The assured performances he's produced already mean at times it's easy to forget that this is still a player in the infancy of his career – even teammate Mandela Egbo has suggested he seems more like a 27-year-old that's made hundreds of appearances.

Ness is not letting the last few months and the high praise get to his head, though. His target for the season remains to play as many minutes as possible and learn as much as he can.

When it comes to learning experiences, there can be few better than 90 minutes away against Man United at Old Trafford in front of more than 9,000 travelling Charlton fans.

"It was sort of a surreal experience," he said on the EFL Cup clash. "Something that you dream of as a kid. You walk out and, I don't know what the attendance was whether it was 60,000 for example, it was such a strange feeling. It was amazing to be a part of. "

A late arrival into the Old Trafford tunnel after the game meant he missed out on Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez's shirts, settling instead for Zidane Iqbal's, but if Ness continues on his current trajectory then you'd imagine he may get the chance to add some more big names to his collection.

It may be early days but the defender with just 14 Charlton appearances under his belt has already convinced The Valley faithful of his talents, you only have to search his name on Twitter to see plenty of evidence of that.

He remains one of SE7's best-kept secrets at the moment but it won't be long before plenty are talking about him outside of south London.