World No1 Nick Matthew has tipped Kingston teenager Charles Sharpes to reach the top of the English game and will have fews excuses if he falls short.

The 19-year-old Wimbledon Squash and Badminton Club player was called up by England Squash to spar with their four-man squad ahead of the World Team Championships in Germany next week.

Sharpes left a sizeable impression on the current World and Commonwealth champion, leaving Matthew predicting big things for the youngster.

“You can see in his game and demeanour on court that he is getting more confident and that can only be good for our game,” said Matthew.

“It is also good for us to be challenged considering we play each other more often than not. It is mutually beneficial.

“Potentially he is a very good player. He can make the top 20 but, after that, it’s up to him.

“For the younger players today, England Squash has everything set up and they don’t have many excuses if they don’t make it.”

Sharpes finished a highly successful junior career last year and is now cutting his teeth on the senior tour where he is ranked 112 in the world.

The British U19 champion has attended two squad sessions with England this summer and is hoping a little of the magic rubs off on him.

Sharpes harbours ambitions of securing a starting spot in the squad, but admits he has to prove himself as a professional before he can start dreaming of winning titles again.

“Nick was brilliant and he gave me some key points on how to get stuck into my opponents more, get up the court and take the ball a bit earlier. It was all invaluable,” he added.

“It’s great to be part of the set up, especially when you have four players in the world’s top 12 there. Hopefully, the experience will rub off on me.

“Last year was really good for me with two PSA tournament wins. “Now I’m full-time and it’s all about moving up the rankings.

“It has been a big change for me, having to earn my stripes in the world’s elite.

“They don’t give you the respect like the juniors did.”