Lee Bowyer admitted that his future is out of his control with regards to signing a new contract at The Valley but insisted that tying down young talent is paramount.

Bowyer and Assistant Manager Johnnie Jackson’s contracts are both up in the summer, and despite making no claims of moving elsewhere, the manager is prioritising the retention of young talent at the club before sorting out his own future.

Asked if he believed that if he committed his long-term future to the Addicks then players who are out of contract in the summer would follow suit, the manager said:

“Maybe that’s the case, but no-one has approached me about a new contract, I can’t make it happen.

“I get what you’re saying that others might follow, but it’s out of my control unfortunately.

“I’m sure something will happen, it just hasn’t happened yet.”

It’s thought the Club are waiting to see what division they will be in next year before offering the boss a new deal, a dangerous tactic with Bowyer and Jackson’s stock high after guiding the Addicks to the higher echelons of the league with zero transfer budget.

READ: Injury news - two good, one bad for Bowyer

Lapslie

Bowyer’s insistence of tying down young talent has seen some progress this week with George Lapslie signing a new long-term deal with the club, and the manager points to Lapslie as inspiration to others.

“When you get a chance, you have to grab it,” he said of the 21-year-old.

“George did really well in pre-season.

“He works hard and keeps improving, he needs more goals and end product but that’s something we’re working on, but overall he deserves that new deal.”

One player who Charlton are keen to get pen to paper on is Joe Aribo.

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It’s thought the club are going back with an improved deal to keep the midfielder on the books beyond the summer, or risk losing him for nothing with clubs from the Championship and Premiership reported to be ken to pounce.

“The young lads are the future of the club and they’re more important than the older players or those that will be coming in in the summer so it’s good to tie them down now.”

READ: Lapslie - from periphery to role-model

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