CARDIFF City are believed to be just one of a number of First Division clubs tracking York City midfielder Lee Bullock.

Norwich City, Reading and Nottingham Forest have also been linked with a move for the highly-rated 22-year-old.

However, the Evening Press understands Cardiff have had Bullock watched.

Bluebirds' owner Sam Hammam was a spectator at City's FA Cup game with Barnsley earlier this month.

The purpose of his visit was not known but we understand Hammam did make known his admiration for the Stockton-born youngster.

City boss Chris Brass said: "I know Lee's attracting a lot of interest from a number of clubs but there has been nothing concrete at this moment in time. Whatever happens has to be right for Lee Bullock and, importantly, right for York City.

"I really don't want to lose him. He's been at York City a long time now and knows where we are going and I am sure he will want to be part of that but that can change sometimes especially with our financial circumstances."

Although Bullock is still only 22, he is the club's longest serving player at Bootham Crescent having come up through the youth team ranks at City.

He made his debut as a 17-year-old and has since made more than 150 senior appearances.

Bullock is also a regular goalscorer and it his eye for goal from midfield that is particularly attractive to opposition clubs.

He has already scored four goals this season to make him City's joint top scorer and he has bagged 24 goals in total for the Minstermen.

The youngster is out of contract at the end of this season, which may mean clubs biding their time before making their interest more definite.

However, because he remains under the age of 24 City would still be entitled to some sort of compensation should Bullock move at the end of the season.

Just what sort of transfer fee City could hope to bank for Bullock is difficult to determine in today's deflated transfer market.

First Division Rotherham United recently offered Mansfield Town £150,000 for talented midfielder Liam Lawrence and yet Huddersfield Town have slapped a £1.5million transfer tag on the relatively inexperienced Jon Stead.

The Terriers' million pound valuation of Stead seems excessive given the fact West Ham United offered less than half that figure to Nottingham Forest for one of Division One's leading strikers, Marlon Harewood.

A few seasons ago, City could have expected to bank up to £1million for a goalscoring midfielder like Bullock.

However, in today's climate it is doubtful City could hope to bank much more than a six-figure fee.

Updated: 10:56 Thursday, November 27, 2003