Charlton are proud of their academy and have invested heavily in it, both in terms of facilities and staffing. Are the club getting a decent return for their investment?

Performances on the pitch have been good, the Addicks reached the quarter-final of the FA Youth Cup last season and were a bit unfortunate to lose 3-2 at Old Trafford. However, the criteria has to be how many players progress to the first team.

On that score, things are not nearly as bright. Chris Powell will pass the one hundred games in charge marker later in the month but during that time, he has only blooded one academy player.

Callum Harriott came on as a 90th minute substitute for Dean Parrett in the 3-1 win over Rochdale at The Valley on Easter Monday last year. Harriott made another appearance from the bench in the following game at Walsall when he came on for Therry Racon after 71 minutes.

The curtain came down on the 2010/11 season a week later at The Valley. Hartlepool, backed by their travelling band of Oompa Loompas, provided the opposition in a disappointing 0-0 draw. The game did mark Harriott’s full debut debut though. The youngster lasted 68 minutes until he was replaced by Racon.

That was the last time Harriott appeared in the first team. He did make the bench at Leeds when Dale Stephens cried off late on but did not get on the pitch. Adebayo Azeez and Morgan Fox have also made bench appearances without making an appearance.

One of the problems is Powell’s cautious nature. Playing youngsters is always a bit of a risky business but fortune favours the brave. Arsene Wenger has reaped a rich harvest of talent by giving his youngsters a chance.

There were opportunities to give some of the young players a run out at the end of last season after promotion and the title were sewn up. There have been chances this season to give Morgan Fox and Azeez a taste of action.

If Powell was not prepared to play them after the League One title was assured, will he ever risk them in the Championship, never mind the Premiership, should the Addicks be elevated again?

One of the advantages Charlton should have over bigger clubs in being able to attract young is the ability to offer them more game time. If they never get a game, eventually the talented kids will look elsewhere.

Last year’s academy group in particular looked to be full of talent but they need to be played to prove what they can do. The question is, will they ever get that chance?