91Èȱ¬

Northampton Town have turned down a six-figure bid from a Championship club for their striker Ivan Toney.

The 18-year-old, who made his first-team breakthrough last season and has scored six goals in 2014-15, is under contract until 2017.

Manager Chris Wilder told 91Èȱ¬ Radio Northampton: "There's not anybody like him in the bottom two divisions.

"We've got to protect an asset [but also] give the player an opportunity of stepping up in his career."

Northampton-born Toney made his debut in 2012 as the club's youngest-ever first team player and has scored nine goals in 37 appearances.

His three goals in two matches at the end of 2013-14 helped the Cobblers stay in the Football League.

"There has been interest from the back end of last season with Ivan and [with him] getting his goals so far and in his performances - we're not surprised [there's been a bid]," said Wilder.

"Maybe because he's been playing up front on his own [recently], people have come to watch him and not seen the best of him but with Marc Richards and Emile Sinclair back, that'll take the pressure off Ivan.

"In his last two performances he's been outstanding.

"He's got all the attributes to be a top player. He plays off his left and right foot and obviously he scores goals with his head as well.

"Our job is to manage him, make sure he improves as he has done from when he got into the team in the back end of last season.

"He's just got to get his head down and play football and everything else will take care of itself."