POOLE Town have moved to stave off interest from other clubs by securing hot prospect Charlie Austin on a contract.

The young striker has taken the Wessex League by storm since joining Dolphins from Hungerford Town in the summer, scoring 11 goals in all competitions so far this term.

And wary of higher level clubs eyeing a bid for the teenager, Tom Killick has acted fast to get the hotshot to commit himself to the Tatnam outfit.

With the player now on contract-terms, Poole could command a fee if another club wished to sign Austin.

"He's a young player who is already attracting some attention because of the goals he's scored," explained manager Killick.

"We feel he's someone who has got further improvement in him and, while we don't want to obstruct players' progress, we wanted to safeguard him for the course of the season.

"We think he's going to be a valuable asset to us over the course of the season and he's going to have a big role to play.

"I think Charlie has really enjoyed it since he's been at the club and he does seem to be playing and causing other teams all sorts of problems, as well as scoring goals."

Killick, a fine forward during his playing days, has tipped Austin for big things if he carries on improving his game.

But the Poole manager revealed his club have not yet received an official approach for the frontman.

He said: "We've not had direct interest but I think word is getting round that he's doing well and I'd envisage people might start keeping an eye on him now.

"He's had a good start but I don't want him to get carried away with it. If he's going to progress he's probably still got a bit of developing to do.

"I'm hoping he will knuckle down and in the future things will happen for him. I think he's capable, from the brief amount I've seen of him, of playing at a higher level. But there's work to be done before that happens."

Dolphins travel to face Lymington Town in the Wessex Premier Division this afternoon (3pm).