Bristol City will ask Spurs over keeping Steven Caulker

Caulker has made 30 appearances for Bristol City since arriving in September

Bristol City plan to have talks with Tottenham in the summer over the possibility of keeping defender Steven Caulker beyond the end of the season.

Caulker, 19, has impressed in the heart of the defence in his season-long loan.

"I've told them I'd love to keep him and I'd love to buy him," City manager Keith Millen told BBC Radio Bristol.

"We'll discuss things, but they'll probably be thinking to get him some Premier League experience. If that happens there's nothing you can do."

The England Under-21 international spent last season on loan at Yeovil in League One and has made the step up to the Championship with ease.

Caulker joined the Robins in September shortly after making his sole Spurs appearance in their Carling Cup defeat by Arsenal.

He has started in 30 City matches, a third of which have resulted in clean sheets, and has also chipped in with two goals, one of which was a late header that salvaged a draw at table-topping QPR in front of Spurs manager Harry Redknapp.

BBC Radio Bristol commentator Ed Hadwin said: "He's the best young footballer I've watched live and has everything he needs to do well at a higher level.

"He's got pace, reads the game well and if he continues to progress he could well play for England in the future."

Caulker, who requires an ankle operation when the season ends, is set to be on Under-21 duty with England against Iceland on Monday.

And if he can carry his club form into that outing at Preston he hopes to earn a spot in England's squad for the Uefa U21 Championship in Denmark in the summer.

"My aim is to get a start for the game next Monday and hopefully show what I can do ahead of the summer tournament," he told City's website.

"I know it's a long, hard season but if I'm involved in that squad then it's an opportunity you can't turn down."