Saunders Expects Talented Midfielder To Stay Put

The 18-year-old was said to have attracted the eye of Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion.

The talented youngster has played three times for the Stones this season having progressed through the club's academy and making his first-team debut aged 16.

Saunders updated fans on the situation, saying: "We've had no contact at the club. Agents obviously tout players about and get interest in players.

"Jack's a very good player, I'm sure he'll go on to have a very good career but we've not had one single phone call from anyone. As far as I'm aware he's staying with us and I don't expect him to be going anywhere.

"He's under contract for the next couple of years and we're happy with him and building him into it. He's someone I've known for a long time after coming through the academy. I think he's finally at a stage now to play at this level and is getting better every week.

He continued: "I had a good chat with him the other week to about making sure he's doing extra to make himself physically stronger because technically he's very good.

"He's our player and we're in no rush to get rid of him. Don't get me wrong if a big club came in and made a big bid, then you'd be silly not to look at it. As I say we've had no contact and until myself or Bill (Williams, chief executive) take a phone call then I can't see it happening."