Johnson out to keep Jacobs

Jacobs: Has great potential

Northampton boss Gary Johnson is under no pressure to sell highly-rated youngster Michael Jacobs.

Following eight goals in his first full senior season, Jacobs is already on the radar of scouts from higher-level clubs but Johnson insists the 19-year-old midfielder should remain at Sixfields and continue his development.

"I'm very much planning to have him in my team next season," Johnson told the Chronicle & Echo.

"He showed a maturity at the end of last season for me and for the club that I was really impressed with.

"I'm sure he will eventually go on to play at a very high level but he's not ready yet. I don't know whether he'll like me for saying it, but if he went somewhere now he wouldn't be ready.

"He needs to be here for a little while yet because when that potential does come out and he becomes a regular league player, and he's confident, he'll go straight into someone's side. He loves his football too much, he's got that kind of personality that it won't suit him to go somewhere and not be in the team."