Charlton Athletic boss Phil Parkinson has urged youngster Jonjo Shelvey to ignore Premiership interest.

The Addicks chief is aware his highly rated young midfielder could leave Charlton for a nominal fee as the 16-year-old can not sign a professional contract until his 17th birthday.

Newcastle, West Ham and Aston Villa have all been linked with Shelvey's signature in recent months.

Parkinson told the News Shopper: "I think you are always concerned about that.

"To be fair to Jonjo, he is a sensible boy. His family and agent know the best route for Jonjo to get where he wants to be, which is a top player, is by playing first team games.

"He is very close to our first team and we are just nurturing him along nicely. He has had some good games recently when he has been in the 16, so one thing Jonjo doesn't want to go and do now is to go to a club where he ends up further away from the first team.

"That is how we look at it at the moment.

"Negotiations on a contract are on-going and we are talking to Jonjo and hopefully that will be done. He definitely hasn't signed one as of yet."