Mason Burstow in pole position to start for Charlton Athletic at Cheltenham

Mason Burstow has earned more praise off Charlton Athletic manager Johnnie Jackson after scoring his first league goal in Wednesday night’s 2-1 defeat at Crewe.

The 18-year-old striker is making waves in the first-team ranks after scoring with his first touch on his debut in the EFL Trophy against Crawley Town in August.

Burstow also struck against Havant & Waterlooville – his second senior appearance – in the FA Cup first round.

The South Londoner, raised in Woolwich and Plumstead, took his tally for the campaign to four when he headed home in midweek after Conor Washington’s shot was initially parried.

And Burstow’s performance appears to have pushed him to the front of the pack to start this weekend at Cheltenham. Jayden Stockley is out with a hip problem and Jonathan Leko failed to impress paired with Conor Washington in midweek.

“I don’t care how old you are – if you’re doing the business then I’m going to take you seriously,” said Charlton manager Johnnie Jackson. “You are going to be in my thinking. He [Burstow] has done that and fair play to the kid.”

Burstow started in Sunday’s FA Cup against Norwich and was cramping up at the end.

“It was a difficult decision not to start him [at Crewe],” said Jackson. “What he does give us is that youthful enthusiasm and he knows where the goal is.

“The boy came on and impacted the game last night and he is at the forefront of my thoughts for the weekend having not started that one in midweek. He’s come on and got another goal. He gives me that option.”

PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS