PAUDIE O’Connor is attracting interest from the Championship, the Telegraph & Argus understands.

A couple of second-tier clubs have been keeping tabs on the defender, who has one more year to run on the contract he signed when joining City permanently from Leeds in the summer of 2019.

Bristol City are believed to be in the market for a young centre half but are not thought to be one of those watching O’Connor.

The 23-year-old was one of the better performers in City’s disappointing season and enjoyed a breakthrough campaign – wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of Richard O’Donnell.

O’Connor was the fourth-highest appearance maker in the team, behind Connor Wood, Anthony O’Connor and Elliot Watt, with 47 starts in 48 games. He sat out three after being sent off at Forest Green in September.

O'Connor also scored twice in defeats at Oldham and Carlisle.

He was crowned player of the year by supporters in the recent virtual awards ceremony as well as earning the plaudits as the choice of players’ player by the rest of the squad.

O’Connor, who initially joined on loan under David Hopkin, has been a very vocal presence during a year of games behind closed doors.

“I can get a bit high octane – that’s just the way I play,” he said. “I think you can see I’m trying to be a leader.”