The Hartlepool United forward is fast becoming one of the most wanted strikers in the lower leagues with several top flight scouts taking in Tuesday night's Carling Cup victory over West Bromwich Albion.



Celtic manager Gordon Strachan was also in attendance and has been linked with a £3 million bid for the 21-year-old – although he may face competition from Spurs, Wolves and Norwich for Brown.

Pools boss Wilson is delighted to tie Brown down to a new contract, but confessed the deal would not stop the transfer rumours surrounding the former Cramlington Juniors striker.

Wilson said: "He has been linked to people, he will be and I'm sure he will be linked again these coming months under contract or not.

"It doesn't make any difference nowadays if you are under a long contract or short contract – people have to buy him anyway.

"All he has got to do is maintain that he plays well every week and everybody benefits, him included as well as us.

"That's all we ask, we aren't bothered about speculation because it means nothing to us."

Brown had perhaps his quietest game of the season on Tuesday, but still showed he is more than capable of holding his own against Premiership opposition with several sublime touches in the second half.

He was more than ably supported by his team-mates with strike partner Joel Porter in particular causing mayhem in the Baggies back four.

Wilson stressed the importance of lightening the load off Brown, both through his existing team-mates and any future additions to the Pools squad.

"It's important we keep the best players at the club and try to add to them as well because we have a responsibility to get the best players you can at this football club to perform and James is certainly one of those," said Wilson.

"First and foremost he needs 10 guys beside him that's for sure.

"He has got a bright future, a big future but at this moment in time he has got a bit of security and we have got
a bit of security in him as well.

"That's something I'm delighted about for the club and for James as well."