Aston Villa's Marcus Rashford (second right) takes on Cardiff City's Dylan Lawlor (centre)
Cardiff City are keen to tie down young centre-back Dylan Lawlor to a new deal after some eye-grabbing performances in recent months, WalesOnline understands.
The Bluebirds academy product, 18, stood out on his first-team debut against Premier League side Aston Villa in the recent FA Cup defeat in the Midlands, coming up against a star-studded attack which included Champions League winner Marco Asensio, Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford and England star Ollie Watkins.
Lawlor more than held his own, on one occasion winning a footrace with Rashford before sliding in and clattering both the ball and the man to get the travelling supporters roaring at Villa Park.
After that match, manager Omer Riza even said he was surprised by the level of Lawlor's performance against a top-class outfit who are competing in the Champions League and fielded a first team against the lowly Championship side.
It is rare that a club produces its own centre-backs these days. Clubs tend to pluck out defenders from lower divisions who have games under their belts in senior football, however Lawlor is someone who could break that mould. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.
He has admirers at all levels within the club and is now consistently training with the Bluebirds first team and continues to impress coaches. He has also stood out at international level for Wales' age-grade sides and is a consistent performer for the under-21s. Were Cardiff not in such a precarious position, it is likely the Wales under-19s international would have had more first-team appearances this term.
And despite Lawlor's contract apparently being up at the end of the season, it is understood the club have an option to trigger an extension. However, Cardiff are keen to thrash out terms for an improved deal which would supersede the extension trigger anyway.
There has been transfer speculation regarding the central defender in recent days, with scouts reportedly having taken a look at him. Indeed, as Riza said when asked about fellow Wales international Troy Perrett, who is reportedly subject of transfer interest from Villa, category one clubs are always looking to "pinch" a bargain.
Speaking about Lawlor, Riza, whose own contract runs only until the end of the campaign, said he is a "great talent" and has urged the club to sit down with the youngster's representatives sooner rather than later.
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"Dylan is one of our young players, our young product who has come through. He has done well and played well in the Villa game - he is held in high regard with us," Riza said.
"He is training with us every day. He will play under-21s games when he's not playing for the first team.
"Regarding contracts, if he is out of contract, then the club will be sitting down with him and his agent regarding it.
"I wouldn't have played him in the Villa game if I didn't [think he was a top talent]. I wasn't a nothing game, it was a real challenge for him and he stepped up to the challenge.
"Obviously, a young lad like that is going to have interest. I've read stuff in the papers, the club has not had anything regarding Dylan Lawlor.
"He is a great talent and prospect with a great head on his shoulders and I look forward to working with him."