DRU Yearwood is better off staying at Southend United, according to Shrimpers boss Chris Powell.

Yearwood - who will be part of the Blues team facing Blackpool at Roots Hall on Saturday - continues to enhance his ever-growing reputation in the game with a series of fine displays.

But, despite rumoured interest from the likes of Crystal Palace, Millwall and Brentford, Powell feels the 18-year-old midfielder should stay with Southend to continue his development.

“This is the best place for Dru at the current time,” said Powell.

“He will only get better from playing games and he’ll get that here.

“But he’s a player that when fit and available is a very big young talent.

“You just want the best for him wherever the future takes him but he’s our player right now and I want that to continue.

“We’ll just have to deal with this and you can’t worry about these things because those kind of situations are out of your hands.

“If he’s playing we know people will be there watching him but he’s a Southend player and long may we continue to see him in a Southend shirt.”

Yearwood - who is contracted to Blues until the summer of 2021 - came through the youth ranks at Roots Hall and has now made 40 appearances for the first team.

But Powell does not believe Yearwood will be affected by the speculation surrounding his future.

“He’s got his head screwed on and he’s got a brilliant family,” said the Blues boss.

“He’s been here a number of years and he’s taken to me and my staff brilliantly which is great.

“But he really is a wonderful talent.”

And, despite his young age, Powell also opted to make Yearwood captain for Blues’ Checkatrade Trophy clash with Southampton under 21s on Wednesday night.

“I just thought it would be great for Dru to lead from the front,” said Powell.

“It would be interesting to know if he was Southend’s youngest ever captain.”

Blues head into Saturday’s game sitting 13th in the table with Blackpool in ninth.