SOUTHEND United’s academy manager Ricky Duncan has challenged the club’s young players to follow in the footsteps of Charlie Kelman.

The 17-year-old striker, who will start for the young Shrimpers in tonight’s FA Youth Cup second round clash against Charlton Athletic, made his first team debut last week.

And Duncan wants more of Blues’ talented youngsters to push on.

“To see Charlie come on was fantastic and the FA Youth Cup gives the younger ones a chance to show well, here I am too,” said Duncan.

“I’ll throw the challenge down to them, who is going to be next out of you.

“Who is going to be banging on that door, be it through the 21s or past the 21s because making the first team is what the job is about and what we want to see.”

Kelman - who bagged the winner in Blues’ 4-3 win against Leyton Orient in the first round - played the final five minutes of the 3-0 win against Southampton under-21s in the Checkatrade Trophy at Roots Hall last Wednesday.

But he will now be turning his attention towards facing Charlton in what Duncan believes will be a tough tie.

“Charlton are one of the strongest category two clubs but everyone is looking forward to it,” said Duncan.

“They’re a good side but so are we so it should be a good game.”

However, the match will be taking place at Welling United’s Park View Road and not the Valley, where Charlton’s first team play.

“Everyone wants to play at the main ground so we were all disappointed but that shouldn’t come into it really,” said Duncan.

“We’ve just got to go and play a game of football and it will still be a nice experience there.”