Thierry Small makes Charlton Athletic contract future admission

Theirry Small has admitted he would love to extend his stay at Charlton Athletic with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

The wing-back netted the winner and his first goal of the season in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town at The Valley – scoring in the 96th minute to wrap up all three points.

Ex-Southampton and Everton youngster Small in the final six months of his deal with the Addicks and has been linked to a move to Championship side Preston in recent weeks.

When asked about his future, Small told the South London Press: “It’s currently under negotiations and I’m just letting my agent deal with it.

“We will just see where it goes from there.

“I would love to stay.”

Small, a left-back by trade, has been playing on the right side of a back four or in a back five since Kayne Ramsey suffered a knee injury in October against Stockport.

“It’s been good for me in terms of learning a different role,” said Small.

 “I’m still learning my trade. Learning on the right-hand side will help me for when I go back to the left.

“I can be a little bit more expressive on the right-hand side with my attacking. I have the ability to go in and outside.

“It’s a bit easier to play on the right when I’m attacking. But, defensively, it’s harder because I have to be more aware and it’s a little bit unnatural at times.

“I’m used to it now so it’s like second nature to me. Even though it’s the same position but on the opposite side, I’m working out my angles and seeing the game differently.

“It’s been about getting my head down and helping the team wherever I’m required to play. That’s the most important thing.

“If it means helping Charlton win, you could play me in goal – I wouldn’t mind.

“It’s one of the best spells in my career so far. I’m still learning and I’m grateful to the manager for having faith in me and pushing me to help me do well. “

The 20-year-old has had a spell in Scotland with St Mirren and also played in League One before joining Charlton last winter, making eight appearances with Port Vale.

Small has turned out 41 times for the South Londoners and is enjoying the most productive playing period of his senior career.

“Every game is different and you have different styles of play,” Small explained of the challenges of the third tier.

“When you’re in different leagues. In the Premier League or Championship, most styles are pretty similar.

“In League One, you might come up against a footballing side one week and then one who plays route one the next.

“You’re learning different aspects of your game. Some games you can play and some games you have to dig deep to get the job.”

Nathan Jones’ side late winner against Shrewsbury took them two points off the top six and meant they had only suffered defeat once in their last nine League One outings.

“That’s the plan,” said Small of targeting a play-off spot at the end of the season.

“From the start of the season, that’s what we were aiming for and that’s what we’re aiming to do.

“We’re only halfway through and we still have a lot more work to do.

“This is the most important time now for everyone to get their heads down and try to see where our season finishes.

“We’re aiming to get into the play-off spots. We just have to deal with it game by game.”