A number of Championship clubs are watching Southampton prospect Thomas O'Connor, who currently out on loan at League One side Gillingham, a source close to the player has exclusively confirmed to Football League World.

With O'Connor's loan being up in January, clubs are on red alert to the defender's availability and the Gills may have to resign themselves to losing the 20-year-old in six weeks' time.

Southampton are happy with the way that the loan for the young Irishman is going, with the defender featuring 14 times for Gillingham this season, scoring one goal.

O'Connor comes from the same academy that helped produce stars such as Gareth Bale, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana, Theo Walcott and Luke Shaw.

The 20-year-old has been with Southampton since the age of 15 and risen through the ranks of St.Mary's, going on to become a professional and captaining their under-23 side on occasions.

O'Connor has filled in at centre-back and left-back for Gillingham this season as he has adapted well to regular men's football, and his form has subsequently drawn attention from teams higher up the footballing pyramid.