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Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough says it will be difficult to stand in Jackson Irvine’s way if a big offer arrives this summer.

Reports in Australia say Irvine is interesting Aston Villa , Wolves, Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham after a successful debut season in England with Burton.

Irvine arrived at the Pirelli Stadium from Ross County last summer for a club record £250,000 and bagged 10 goals as the Brewers defied the odds to beat the drop from the Championship.

But the midfielder’s performances have attracted interest from bigger clubs and Clough admits Burton may be forced to cash in.

He said: “We’ll see what happens in the next few weeks,” Clough told BBC Radio Derby. “When you score as many goals as him and play as well as he has done, speculation is inevitable.

“We’re realistic. If an offer comes in – and it’s the right offer – and Jackson feels that it’s a step up in progress for him, then it’s very difficult for us to stand in his way. It should all become clearer in the next month.”