TOM Killick believes Burnley’s reported £1.2 million bid for Charlie Austin would probably be a realistic amount for the former Poole Town frontman.

National newspaper spectulation suggests ex-Cherries boss Eddie Howe has wasted little time in making the former Wessex League striker his first target now he’s in the hot seat at the Championship club.

And Dolphins manager Killick is not surprised the prolific goalscorer could be on his way to Turf Moor after reportedly handing in a transfer request to Swindon.

Killick, who saw Austin take the leap from Tatnam to the County Ground in October 2009 for an undisclosed fee, said: “I don’t feel qualified to say whether Charlie is definitely worth £1.2 million.

“But what I will say is he’s a young player capable of improving.

“When you look at transfer fees being put on other players’ heads nowadays, you would have to say £1.2m looks like a reasonable amount for him.”

Austin, 21, has plundered 37 goals in 63 games for League One Robins, prompting Killick to add: “He’s been a prolific scorer since he went to Swindon and he’s still young.

“There are plenty of clubs interested in him. It’s not as if this is an isolated case.

“I think Swindon have already turned down similar bids from Hull and, possibly, Millwall in the summer.

“Clearly, it’s not just Burnley who think he’s worth that money. I think there are a whole cluster of clubs.

“So, based on his scoring record and age, he must be worth that fee.”

It’s less than a week since Howe left League One promotion-chasing Cherries, but Killick would not be surprised if Howe showed an interest in Austin.

Poole’s manager said: “I know Burnley had expressed an interest in Charlie before Eddie moved to Burnley.

“So with Eddie’s relationship and knowledge of Charlie, I always felt it could happen.

“If Burnley are in for him, it’ll be another amazing chapter in Charlie’s meteoric rise.

“It’s just remarkable. If the move comes off, I’ll just be really pleased for him.

“Eddie made it clear he wanted to sign Charlie when he was at Bournemouth but was unable to because of an embargo stopping Cherries signing players at the time. He would have wanted to have sorted something out for Charlie.

“I’m just hoping Charlie gets the chance to move up to the Championship because he’s a great lad who can still go higher in the game.”