Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on highly-rated Rovers youngster Ash Phillips.

Phillips has enjoyed a remarkable rise over the past 18 months, initially making his Under-21 debut as a 16-year-old and then stepping up to the first team picture within a year.

The 6’4 defender has also been capped by England between Under-17 and Under-19 levels, as well as being named on standby for the Under-20 World Cup.

He played 14 times in all competitions last season, including eight league appearances as Jon Dahl Tomasson’s finished seventh in the Championship, missing out on a play-off spot by the slimmest of margins on the final day.

The Lancashire Telegraph understands that the youngster is now set to have a medical at Spurs.

Phillips signed his first professional contract at Rovers last September, although FIFA rules dictate that any player under the age of 18 can only sign a deal up to three years.

The defender was named EFL apprentice of the year in the Championship last season, seeing off competition from Jamie Knight-Lebel and Emre Tezgel. He followed in the footsteps of previous winners including Ben Brereton and Jude Bellingham.

Tottenham were initially credited with an interest in the 18-year-old last August prior to his contract extension.

Earlier this year, England Under-19 boss Simon Rusk said: “Ash is really great to work with, he wants to learn and get better and maximise his potential.

“I think if he continues to do the right things, I’ll be really confident about where he can go with his career.”

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