Tarkowski staying put — for now

DEFENDER James Tarkowski shields the ball from Liverpool forward Victor Moses.

LEE Johnson reckons star performer James Tarkowski will remain at Boundary Park for the time being — but admits his performance at Anfield reinforced the young defender’s credentials.

The 21-year-old centre back has been tipped to leave in the current transfer window, with a host of clubs from the top-flight including Liverpool tracking his progress.

But Johnson says that the player - reportedly valued at up to £2million - will do better to continue his education at Boundary Park.

“I expect him to stay. He has got another stage of his development to go yet, to be ready for that level,” Johnson said. “But who knows? He showed here that he wouldn’t have been out of place in their team.

“It is a lot of pressure when there are a lot of clubs looking at you — top clubs as well — and he would have known that.

“He had a few indifferent games and cost us a couple of goals, but when a player is so young it is all part of the process of becoming a top player. Look at this game and you see he has every attribute to go as high as he wants.”