Sky Sports are reporting that a number of league sides are trailing Welling United defender Jack Parkinson.

The 22 year old defender is believed to have attracted the attention of quite a few league clubs and has been compared to Manchester United defender Chris Smalling who made the leap from Maidsstone United to Old Trafford via Fulham.

Parkinson has shown already in his short career that he can turn heads from clubs up the football pyramid with Southend United offering him a trial back in the summer. He also rejected the chance to move to Stevenage.

The Welling United lad started his career at VCD Athletic before joining the Wings in the summer of 2008, but is believed to be ready to make the jump up to the football league.

Parkinson can play in a variety of positions and it is understood that Welling wouldn’t stand in his way if a large club came calling.

A number of Championship and League One clubs are understood to have watched Parkinson in recent weeks, however Charlton boss Chris Powell has ruled out a move.

Picture supplied by Ed Boyden. To see more of Ed’s photos visit www.edboydenphotos.co.uk