GOLD COAST United coach Miron Bleiberg remains confident he will keep emerging star James Brown in the face of strong bids from a posse of rival clubs, including Sydney FC.

Brown, 20, is enjoying a breakthrough season after two years devastated by injury, scoring four times in a side which has struggled for results. Sydney FC, Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory are among those circling the Australian under-23 international, but Bleiberg warned: ''The predators will have to wait.''

Talent ... James Brown. Credit:Getty Images

Brown, from Fingal Head on the Queensland-NSW border, is one of the few local juniors on the books of Gold Coast, and was the club's first signing four years ago. Bleiberg believes the fact he is still living at home and studying for a commerce degree, will be important factors.

''The point is we have first rights and he won't be going anywhere until he talks with us,'' Bleiberg said. ''I think he is comfortable here, he likes having his friends and family around, and it will take a very special offer to make him leave. We are going to make him a good offer, and then we will see. We have long-term plans for him, his agent knows that, and my feeling is he doesn't really want to leave. Unless he gets another offer three times higher, I don't think money will be the deciding factor.''