Winchester City’s promising teenager Danny Cox is at the centre of a tug-of-war between his current club and suitors VT FC.

Boatmen boss Dave Diaper has lodged an approach for the 18 year-old striker who has caught the eye after notching 14 goals in 21 games of his first season in senior football.

Diaper feels Tauntons College student Cox will benefit hugely from the coaching on offer at the Portsmouth Road club and would love to have the opportunity to “bring the best out of him”.

But City co-manager Stuart Hussey believes it is too early for the inexperienced front-man to make such a move.

And Hussey insisted he had the striker’s word that he has no plans to go anywhere.

“He is a good young player,” Diaper said “We have known about him for a little while. We think he has a good future in front of him and he could be added to our squad.

“I used to watch him play against our youth team and I have kept my eye on him.

“I have got to have a chat with him and if he decides to come to us hopefully we can make him a better player than he is at the moment.”

Diaper, who has also been impressed by Cox’s versatility, appreciates that the youngsters’ career is still in its fledgling stage. So, if he captures Cox, the plan is to bed him into life in the Southern League and at VT slowly.

“He is a goal-scorer,” Diaper continued. “But the good thing about him is he can play in different positions.

"I like players who can play in more than one position.

“He would be added to a young group of lads coming through, the likes of Lee Wort and Doug Rowe, and have an opportunity to play for the first team.

“You can't have enough quality young players.

“I have got to have a chat with him because a dual registration might be handy really.

“At least it would get him into the club and bed him in because the coaching set up at VT is superb and hopefully we might bring the best out of him.”

However, Hussey held talks with Cox on Boxing Day and said the striker outlined his desire to stay on at the City Ground.

“Danny has pledged his future to Winchester City,” Hussey said.

“He knows about the approach from VT and he feels it’s very much the wrong time for him to be making that step.

Full story in this week's Hampshire Chronicle