Dulwich Hamlet boss Gavin Rose says his in-demand striker Danny Carr will be at Champions Hill until the end of the season irrespective of the interest from Premier League clubs.

The 18-year-old returns from a trial at Liverpool tonight straight into media speculation that Champions League holders Chelsea are keen to steal him from under the nose of the Merseysiders.

And the football giants are just two of a rumoured dozen clubs interested in Carr’s prolific scoring rate of 23 goals in 23 games.

It is not the first time Carr has dallied with professional football, having been a scholar at Reading, an unsuccessful trialist at Leeds and almost signing for Charlton Athletic.

Rose said: “Danny going to Liverpool may sound a bit out there, but last year we had Michael Chambers who went to Manchester United on a trial.

“Putting it in context, Danny’s an 18-year-old who has already been in that professional environment. And he’ll be training with the U18s age group – it’s not as if he’ll be training with Luis Saurez.”

He added: “Danny has a self-belief and he takes the interest in his stride. It is not arrogance but does think he can play and he likes a challenge.

“His natural personality said ‘Great, this is a challenge’. He has an enthusiastic chid-like mentality to improve as much as he can, which is great.”

It is not the first time Hamlet have produced star talent that has gone on to grace the Premier League, having lost Ian Wright and Peter Crouch to the bright lights.

However, it has been Rose’s intention to keep his squad together until the summer at least to maintain their push for promotion to the Ryman Premier League.

The club turned down any trial requests during January, but have since allowed Xavier Vidal to go to Bolton Wanderers and Abdul Mansaray spend time with the Brentford U21s.

Rose said: “Whatever happens with Danny, he will be with us until the end of the season. These boys are all about promotion for us, and they want it as much as I do.

“We’ve had interest in the boys from all corners but we’re working it so it leaves us in a position where we know we’ll have our players until the end of the season.

“We don’t mind helping them as long as they focus on the job they need to do for Dulwich Hamlet.”

He added: “To be doing as well as they have done up to now is a testament to themselves, and if they have an opportunity to further their careers then it is the right thing for all parties to do.

“Come the summer, if they want to further their careers, then they will go with our blessing.”