DANNY Bowers is convinced Folland Sports’ in-demand defender Matt Burt will develop into a top-drawer centre-half in years to come.

But, for the moment, the Folland Sport boss intends celebrating Burt’s decision to remain with the Planemakers by playing him up front again at Newport IoW tomorrow in the Sydenhams Wessex League Cup.

Just 19 years of age and a hulking 6ft 2in, former Fareham Town centre-back Burt, inset below, is a hot property right now.

Having turned down overtures from Southern One South & West outfit Bashley, he and Andover Town’s Matt Scott were top of Winchester City’s wanted list to replace departed skipper Leigh Mills.

But, though flattered by Winchester’s interest, Burt has opted to remain a Planemaker and, for the time being at least, will use his height and power to try and score goals rather than prevent them.

Bowers explained: “We threw Burty up front for the last half-hour at Frome in the FA Cup and he caused havoc.

“Since then he’s started the last four games up there against Brockenhurst, Eastleigh, Hamworthy and Portchester. We hadn’t been retaining the ball where we’d been light on centre-forwards and he’s done really well.

“I’m sure Matt will turn out to be a fantastic centre-half, but he asked if we’d give him a go up top and he’s playing with a smile on his face.

“Ash (Ashley Jarvis) has started scoring goals again because he likes playing with a big man alongside him.

“The night we played Eastleigh in the Hampshire Senior Cup, Matt gave their centre-halves a torrid time. He occupies people.

“He finds it easy at the back, playing in his comfort zone, but he’s working really hard up top. We’ll leave him up there and see how it goes.

“We’ve got Winchester coming to our place in the league on Tuesday. They wanted him as a centre-half and now they can look at him as a centre forward!

“No disrespect to Winchester but they’re not a Poole or a Sholing who are going to romp away with the league.

“Don’t get me wrong, they’re a big club with people like Dave Malone and Paul Murray there, but it’s quite an open league this year and if we could go on an 18-match unbeaten run like we did to finish third last season, I reckon we’d win it.

“If Winchester were in the Southern League it might be different, but going to another Wessex club is not the right move for Matt.

“But if Winchester do go up, I’m sure this won’t be the last time they’ll be interested in Matt Burt.

“For us to keep Burty is a big plus. It shows our intention.”

Confirming that Burt had turned down Winchester’s advances, City’s director of football Malone shrugged: “He’s decided to stay with a bigger club. We couldn’t afford him anyway and we didn’t want to upset their crowd.”

Burt is not the only Planemaker in demand. AFC Portchester have put in a seven-dayer for hitman Jarvis whose former Follands side-kick Jamie Musselwhite is already at Wicor Rec.

Follands, in return, have lodged an approach for Musselwhite – ‘Batman’ to Jarvis’s ‘Robin’ during their prolific time in tandem at Follands Park.

Bowers stressed: “It’s not tit for tat, it’s a back-up plan based on how Jamie played against us.”