Ben Accord

The 20-year-old Argyle Academy graduate is currently sidelined with a thigh injury but his form this season since coming in for Gary Sawyer at left-back has made a number of Championship clubs sit up and take notice.

Derek said: “We haven’t heard anything from any club, so that’s obviously speculation, but it’s always nice to see your players attracted to other clubs.

“These clubs track a lot of players and Ben, being at 20 years of age and good experience playing at left-back – he played 15 games on the trot before his injury; he’s made more than 45 appearances for the club at such  a young age...I’m sure there will be interest in him. He is showing that he can play at this level.

“We’re just glad he’s doing well for us. He and Gary Sawyer unfortunately are out injured at this moment in time but they have got good competition for places in that left-back area.”

Neither does Derek worry that such speculation will have a negative effect on Ben, nor any Argyle players who succeed in making the grade at Home Park.

“It can help them,” he said. “ It has shown that, if they go in and do well in the first team, then people are watching. It’s good for Ben that his development is progressing at the football club and people are noticing.

“We have got him under contract, which is good from the club’s point of view.”