Norwich City talisman Dion Dublin has told young hotshot Chris Martin to let his football do the talking after reported interest from Premiership heavyweights Manchester United.

Norwich City talisman Dion Dublin has told young hotshot Chris Martin to let his football do the talking after reported interest from Premiership heavyweights Manchester United.

Martin's five goals in ten senior starts have alerted a clutch of top-flight clubs with national media speculation suggesting Sir Alex Ferguson heads a queue of admirers.

City's veteran striker spent two years under Ferguson after signing from Cambridge United in 1992 for a £1m fee, but Dublin has advised the teenage hitman to keep his feet on the floor.

“That sort of thing can affect young players,” said Dublin ahead of tonight's home game against Birmingham.

“You see them start to bowl along instead of walking about the place. Senior pros need to bring them down to earth - people like myself giving advice.

“The best thing you can do in those type of situations is to leave it, forget about it and get on with your game. If you keep scoring goals someone will buy you.

“Norwich are sharp enough to know that - if they have players doing well they'll eventually move on to a bigger club. It's a fact. Chris needs to keep doing what he is doing, then he'll have no problem getting to the Premiership. None at all.”

City chief Peter Grant poured cold water on the prospect of his young starlet heading to Old Trafford.

“It doesn't concern me,” he said. “Man United have a lot more other concerns on their mind. At the end of the day I've said it many, many times I hope my players are getting mentioned because it means others can see the quality we have here.

“If I was him I'd be happy waking up to see myself linked with Man United. Whatever player you are, you want to be playing with the very best. But Chris knows he's got a hell of a long way to go.

“You have to accept if you've got good players, people will be interested - as long as you're in this division, that's for sure.”

Dublin is convinced his young strike partner can mature into a top-flight star.

“He's only 18 - physically he is still developing,” he said. “I'm not surprised at all with what he's done because I've seen what he's capable of in training.

“Chris has taken that onto the pitch now - which is the hardest thing to do as a young boy.

“It'll be difficult to maintain what he has done for the rest of this season. With a lad of his age you have to manage him.

“You don't want to burn him out because he is our goal threat at the minute.”