Blackpool manager Paul Ince has expressed hope that his son, Thomas Ince, will stay at the club this summer.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a move away from Bloomfield Road having notched 18 goals in the Championship this season.

Ince Snr said that he would like to see his son plying his trade at a higher level, but believes that another year with the Tangerines will be of benefit to him.

"It's a hard one for me, because as a father you want to see your son play at the highest level, and I'm sure he will, but as a manager who wants to take a club forward you need your best players," Sky Sports News quotes the 45-year-old as saying.

"Thomas is certainly one of those and he's been outstanding for Blackpool. Saying that, eventually he will leave. Whether it's this year, hopefully not because I still think he's a late developer.

"It's important that you keep your best players and if we can keep him, great, we can move forward."

Ince Jnr joined Blackpool from Liverpool in 2011.