From National League football to Manchester United’s Theatre Of Dreams….Lucas Ness is relishing Charlton Athletic opportunity

Lucas Ness has gone from a National  League survival scrap to being thrust into Charlton Athletic’s first-team. Tomorrow the former Met Police youngster could be tasked with trying to shackle Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

The Addicks are set to have more than 9,000 supporters at Old Trafford as they look to inflict a huge upset against Manchester United in the EFL Cup last eight.

Defender Ness, 20, was signed by the Addicks in November 2021 from the Met’s youth system.

The Raynes Park-based centre-back was previously on the books of Fulham for two years before being released at 14. Ness also had a week’s trial at Leicester in September 2019 not long before Charlton wanted to take a look at him.

Injuries to the Addicks’ backline saw Ness, who was in the same Fulham age group as Liverpool duo Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho, recalled from his loan at Torquay United and handed his first League One start against Cheltenham on December 2.

Ness, a Chelsea supporter, has started their last four matches – including the penalty shootout win over Brighton – and impressed partnering Ryan Inniss in the recent
3-1 victory at Portsmouth.

Rather than be fazed by the prospect of facing United’s superstars  on Tuesday, Ness told the South London Press: “It would be absolutely amazing to play there.

“I’ve got quite a lot of family members and a few more mates coming up to watch.

“It definitely excites you. They have world-class players and this is a chance to put yourself up against them, to see how far off it you are from them.

“The same thing happened in the Brighton match – I was on the same pitch as centre-backs like Lewis Dunk and Levi Colwill. Obviously I wasn’t playing up against them, but just to see what they are like is a very good learning experience.

“If I am playing next week it could be against even better opposition.”

Ness knows the challenge of holding on to a starting spot is going to get tougher if Charlton strengthen in this month’s transfer window.

Irishman Eoghan O’Connell has returned from the knee injury which he suffered in the 4-4 against Ipswich at the end of October.

Ness has played 11 games for the Addicks.

“I still wouldn’t consider myself a first-team player,” he said. “I remember Anthony Hayes, who is now assistant manager, having a team meeting with the U23s a couple of seasons ago and he said you aren’t considered a first-teamer until you’ve made 50 appearances.

“That seems like an awful lot. Things can change so quickly with players coming back from injury or I can have a bad run of games and suddenly be back with the U21s. You always have to be mindful that anything can happen.

“You have to stay grounded. Hopefully I can play a few more games, while I’m playing well.

“I’ve been happy with my performances. I’ve grown into the games as they’ve gone on.

“Obviously in the first couple of games you are going to be more nervous and make more mistakes on the ball, but I feel as I’ve gone along that I’ve got better at that.

“I’m constantly learning. I’m playing and training with the other centre-backs – such as Ryan Inniss, Sam Lavelle, Eoghan and Terell Thomas. They are always helping me out. It makes a massive difference.”

It’s all about progress. It was not that long ago that Ness got the call he wanted from Charlton to say his extended trial had led to a contract.

“It was something I always had my mind set on – it’s been a goal of mine to become a professional footballer,” he said. “I actually got the phone call from Jason Euell, the old U23s manager. I was over the moon. It was a massive achievement and something I’d worked so hard towards.”

The Theatre Of Dreams tomorrow night could end up being another moment that is seared in Ness’ memory.

MAIN PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD