HE MAY not have made his Premiership debut, or even have played one senior match for Alan Curbishley's Addicks, but there was no question the name on everyone's lips last week was Lloyd Sam.

The 20-year-old winger was a shock choice to appear on the bench for the first team against Newcastle United on February 5.

And although he failed to make his bow at St James' Park, three days later he did make his debut for England U20s - and scored his country's second goal within 20 seconds of his entrance as a substitute at The Valley. The fact that the goal in the international friendly against Russia came under the watchful eye of Curbishley was just the icing on the cake.

Leeds-born Sam said: "That was the highest point in my career so far. I was really happy to be involved in the 16-man squad at Newcastle and the day before I heard I was in the England squad too, so it was a good week.

"It all happened so quickly. On the Friday I did not even know I was travelling up to St James' Park, then I found out I would be travelling due to a last-minute injury.

"I only discovered I would be in the squad shortly before the game. And then I found out about the England call-up."

Sam made his mark for his country in front of the 10,426 Valley crowd. After replacing former Millwall youngster Cherno Samba in the 77th minute he was perfectly placed to take advantage of a cross by West Bromwich Albion midfielder Richard Chaplow.

With his first touch, he killed the cross and then wasted no time in confidently dispatching the ball past the Russian goalkeeper to clinch a 2-0 victory for England.

He said: "As soon as the ball came over I knew it was going to clear the defender's head, so I was just thinking to get the first touch right and I scored. It just seemed like I had so much time in front of goal and I just put it in the corner."

Sam was only called into the national team squad at the 11th hour, but it is not the first time he has been on the verge of making a name for himself with the Addicks.

Back in late October, with Charlton struggling in the Premiership and Curbishley considering making a number of changes prior to the Carling Cup third-round clash with Crystal Palace, the name of the in-form Sam was reportedly in the frame.

Unfortunately, illness intervened and it was Jerome Thomas who was a given a first start of the season, an opportunity the former Arsenal man grabbed and has refused to relinquish ever since, becoming a key member of Charlton's 4-5-1 formation.

In a reversal of fortunes, it was Thomas who was ill for the trip to St James' Park, however, and Sam was asked to make the step up to the substitutes' bench for the first time.

He said: "The atmosphere was good. It was the first time I had been there and I just took it all in. I was warming up on the pitch and at first I was a bit nervous but after a while I just wanted to get on the pitch and say I played in the Premiership."

It was not to be on that occasion, but on current performances it must surely be only a matter of time - and Sam intends to take control of his own destiny.

He said: "My main aim is just to get in the first team again - maybe either come on or start a couple of games. If I am playing for the first team, it is more likely I will be picked for another England squad."

Meanwhile, club officials have announced they were delighted with the night's attendance - the second five-figure crowd to see an international fixture at The Valley in the space of 10 months.

Charlton chief executive Peter Varney said: "We were delighted to attract such a large crowd on a night when other higher profile matches were on television.

"Once again it highlights the advantages of staging international matches at The Valley. We proved last summer with the Unity Cup competition that we have the expertise and professionalism to stage such high-profile matches."