WANDERERS have looked to ward off interest in midfielder Luca Connell as he got a first international call-up by Ireland.

The 18-year-old was picked in Mick McCarthy’s squad for the first time yesterday for forthcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Denmark and Gibraltar.

Tottenham, Leeds United and Norwich City have been hot on his trail in the last few weeks but The Bolton News understands Bolton have strengthened their position by tying him down for a third year on his scholarship.

Three other players who were fast-tracked from Nicky Spooner’s Under-18s last season – Ronan Darcy, Jordan Boon and Eddie Brown – have also had their contracts extended for another season.

Connell would have commanded a £300,000 compensation fee if he had signed for another club when his previous deal expired next month.

SPL side Rangers were also monitoring his situation and could have snapped him up for even less because different rules apply on international transfers.

Darcy, who like Connell, has been on Bolton’s books since the age of eight, made his senior debut at Nottingham Forest on the final day of last season.

Chelsea and Celtic were among the clubs linked with the 18-year-old, who grabbed five goals in the youth team last season.

Darcy has been on Parkinson’s first-team radar since achieving promotion from League One in 2016/17 and also loaned the youngster out to his hometown club Skelmersdale last season.

Centre-back Boon spent time at Northwich Victoria last season, making three appearances, and was part of the side which reached the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals this season.

Striker, Brown, was top scorer for the youth team last season, grabbing 12 goals in 15 starts in all competitions, including one against Newcastle United in the cup run.

Meanwhile, Josh Magennis has been called into a Northern Ireland training camp in Manchester ahead of their games against Estonia and Belarus.