PREMIER League side West Brom and Championship outfits Hull and Cardiff are all showing an interest in York City's teenage midfielder Ben Godfrey.

The Press understands all three clubs have sent representatives to run the rule over the 17-year-old former Archbishop Holgate pupil, who scored his first senior goal during Saturday's Sky Bet League Two home defeat to Plymouth Argyle.

New City chief Jackie McNamara is working hard, however, to persuade Godfrey, who is yet to sign the professional contract he was offered earlier this season, that his immediate future will be best served at his home-town club.

On that process, McNamara said: "I spoke to Ben about his contract the other day and am now aware that he's got an agent, but I've got to sit down and convince him that this is the place for him. He's started three games in a week since I came here and scored his first senior goal.

"I also have a track record of developing young players. He's only 17 and could go to a higher-division academy and not be seen for a while.

"Here, he can play football in League Two and get great experience working alongside people like Jonathan Greening."

At the age of 13, Godfrey, son of former Hull KR and York City Knights rugby league winger Alex Godfrey, was the captain of the first York Schoolboys side to win the English Schools FA Trophy at Stadium MK in 2011.

He left City's academy for Middlesbrough that summer but returned at under-15 level after being released by the North East club and having trials with Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday.

Godfrey was then given his first-team debut by McNamara's predecessor, Russ Wilcox, during August's 1-0 home win over Yeovil and has now made ten appearances, including five starts.

Should the former Rawcliffe Juniors player decide his future lies elsewhere, the Minstermen would be entitled to a compensation fee for his services.

The amount would either be decided between City and the buying club or, if agreement could not be reached, be fixed by an independent tribunal.