CHARLTON have offered a professional contract to just one of this season's set of academy players.

Of the 11 youngsters whose deal expire at the end of the season, only 19-year-old Nathan Ashton will be given a fresh one-year contract.

But the England under-19 international left-back, who has played regularly for the reserves at The Valley this season, is delighted he will be given more time to prove himself at the club.

He told the club's official website: "I'm delighted to be staying at the club. I'm disappointed that a lot of the players I have come through the ranks with have been released but that's part and parcel of the game.

"I wasn't sure which way it was going to go but I went into the situation reasonably confident because I think I have done well this season."