League One striker enjoys run of form and is then linked with three mid-table teams in the Championship, ‘standard practice’ of football, according to Blackpool boss Neil Critchley.

His comments come in the wake of Rovers, along with Nottingham Forest and Bristol City, being linked with a move for £2m-rated striker Jerry Yates.

Yates scored twice in the midweek win over Peterborough United in his first season at the club since his summer switch from Rotherham United where he failed to make the grade.

The 24-year-old has previously had successful loan spells with Carlisle United and Swindon Town in League Two, with this his first full season as a regular in the third tier.

Rovers will likely be in the market for a striker this summer with the expected departure of Adam Armstrong, who himself has been the source of speculation following a prolific season infront of goal.

And Pool boss Critchley, whose side are chasing a spot in the League One play-offs, isn’t getting himself concerned by any transfer talk, not least with a crucial stage of this season about to unfold.

“It’s part and parcel, standard practice of football. If someone is doing well in a certain division, then it will attract interest from teams above you,” he told the Blackpool Gazette of Yates, who is under contract for at least another two years.

“That would be the same if it was a League Two team, League One teams would be looking at the best players in that division.

“Jerry is doing well, playing well and scoring goals, so I’d expect him to be attracting attention from teams above, that’s normal.

“Jerry signed a long-term contract here, so he’s under contract with us. He’s with us and we’re not looking for him to move any time in the near future.”