Thomas Ince prepared to be patient

Blackpool winger Thomas Ince has insisted that he wants to focus on improvement and progression rather than obsess over a move to the top flight.

Ince has scored 18 goals this season and was named the Football League's Young Player of the Year last weekend.

The 21-year-old attracted strong interest from Liverpool and Reading in January, but believes that he has plenty to work on before becoming a Premier League player.

He told The Sun: "Every player wants to play at the top level. I want to play for my country at first-team level and in the Premier League. But that comes with time and patience.

"I'm in no rush, I've just turned 21. I need to make mistakes and learn from them. I need to make sure that if I go to the Premier League I am ready to go. There was something about Liverpool coming in for in January, and to go to a top club like that would have been fantastic, but I have to realise it's about playing football.

"Blackpool have put a lot of faith in me and I'm enjoying my football. I've still got a year yet and I'll continue to work as hard as I can for the club."

Paul Ince currently manages his son at Bloomfield Road, with the Seasiders 17th in the Championship.