Jonjo Shelvey, Charlton's 16-year-old schoolboy starlet, will be allowed to develop naturally, manager Alan Pardew promised.

Shelvey, who made his league debut at Barnsley and kept his place in the side a week later in the season’s finale against Coventry, became a shining light in a deeply disappointing end-of-season as the Addicks missed the boat for the play-offs.

Pardew confessed: “I don’t need to coach him. In fact he gets so little instruction because he plays the game naturally.

“I promise we will not complicate the way Jonjo plays because too many young players get too much coaching.

“Jonjo’s got a natural gift for knowing what’s the right pass and the right decision. Coaching can take that away from young players, so he will get total freedom here.

“There are certain things regarding the team unit he needs to learn but I’ll just let him play.”

On Shelvey’s future prospects and establishing himself in the side next season, Pardew added: “If I was a Charlton supporter I would be rubbing my hands looking forward to watching him play next season.

“Just how much he plays is uncertain because he’s still at school and won’t be 17 until February next year.

“He’s incredible because he has a man’s body and a good mentality.”

Pardew reiterated that he is keen to bring in three or four new players who have a strong mentality to bolster next season’s squad.

“If we can do that, we’ll have a lot stronger season,” he said.

The Addicks have secured goalkeeper Rob Elliot and defender Grant Basey on new contracts while Kelly Youga is believed to be on the verge of signing a new deal.