Matt Wright reports

Chris Solly has signed a new contract committing himself to Charlton until 2014, the club revealed on Friday morning.

The right-back, who celebrated his 21st birthday the same day, has missed just one league game this season as the Addicks have surged to the top of League One.

And the product of the club's renowned youth set-up has put pen to paper on a new deal the day before the Addicks celebrate their second academy day, with a series of events planned at Saturday's top-of-the-table clash against Sheffield United (3pm).

"As soon as the club came to me and said that they wanted to talk about a new deal, I wanted to get it signed," said Chris. "It was a quick decision.

"It's great news for me and I wanted to sign straight away. I just wanted to get it signed, move on and concentrate on my football."

Solly, who has been at the club since the age of 12, first played for the club's U18s when he was just 14 years old. The tough-tackling defender won the Victory Shield with England U16s and was also one of the first players to run out at the new Wembley.

He is now part of one of the best defences in the country, with only Manchester City and Liverpool having conceded fewer league goals than the Addicks this term, although the Premier League giants have played four fewer games.

Manager Chris Powell said: "We're absolutely delighted Chris has signed a new contract, and he has been an important player so far for us this season.

"It's great that he is one of our own, having come through the club's ranks, and it's really fitting that we can announce this before we celebrate academy day tomorrow."

Solly has made as many league and cup appearances this season - 27 - as his entire career had totalled before the current campaign.

But he is by no means resting on his laurels as Powell's men aim to return to the Championship.

"People may say that I'm established now, but I don't think like that at all," said Solly. "I'm always thinking that I've got to perform to keep my place in the team.

"Every week, I go out thinking that that I've got to play well today to keep my place. Signing a long-term deal is good news for me because it shows that the club has got faith in me and they want to keep me for that period of time.

"I want to stay here for as long as I can. I want to keep doing what I'm doing and playing week in, week out. The team is flying, and it's a pleasure to play in the team at the moment."

Read a full interview about Solly, including his thoughts on the song fans sing about him, here, while an exclusive with the right-back on finally breaking into the first team, the art of defending and a lucky bandage is in Saturday's Valley Review.

The 60-page edition is priced £3 and will be available to purchase around the stadium or in the Valley Superstore as usual, and will also be sold in the west-stand kiosks.

Fans can also take out season subscriptions by calling Paul Ellis, who also deals with back issues, on 020-8333 4000.

* Read more about Saturday's academy day here.

Tickets for Saturday's match against Sheffield United are on general sale, and are available online.

Due to the change in date for the Bury fixture, this match is voucher number 12 in fans' season-ticket booklets. Match tickets are no longer being posted out, but will be available from the stadium before kick-off.

The club is expecting a bumper crowd, and fans are urged to purchase their tickets in advance to avoid any matchday queues. Supporters can purchase in person between 9am and 5pm on Friday at the Superstore, and from 10am on Saturday. And orders made online or by phone will be held for collection.

Additional staff will be selling tickets in the north-stand ticket office at the weekend game to minimise delays, with credit and debit cards accepted at the left-hand windows as seen from Harvey Gardens and cash-only current match sales for all stands on the right.

Fans should note that tickets being collected on matchdays should now be collected from the Valley Central drop-in centre in the north-west quadrant (the former Corner Flag suite) adjacent to the ground's main entrance.

A bank-style internal queuing system has been set up with fans able to queue down the ramp and out on to Harvey Gardens if required. The two Valley Gold windows next to turnstile 13 will now operate a matchday ticket queries service.

Only seven disabled bays remained at midday on Wednesday, and fans are urged to book soon before they sell out.

As usual, the £7 return Valley Express coach service will carry fans to the game from 50 pick-up points across Kent, Sussex and Surrey.