Latics manager Paul Dickov accepts 18-year-old striker will become an even hotter property after scoring a hat trick in last night's 3-0 win against Premier League Bolton Wanderers.

Dickov says, however, it will take an offer Latics cannot afford to turn down before they would even contemplate selling.

He explained: "It is going to cost somebody a hell of a lot of money to sign him because I don't know an 18-year-old playing first-team football who is like Tom Eaves.

"There has been speculation about Tom, but there is nothing I can do about that.

"It is no secret the club's financial position is not great and if a bid is made for any of my players it will have to be considered.

"It will take a lot of money to prise away any of the players I want to keep."

The 6ft 5in Eaves came off the bench to stun the visitors with a three-goal blast to the delight of Dickov.

He said: "I am delighted for the big man as he works ever so hard in training. He is a man in stature and size, but still only a baby aged 18 so we have to look after him.

"Tom needed a goal, even in training, as he had become frustrated for failing to find the net.

"He deserves his hat trick because he has worked ever so hard, and so have the coaching staff with him since we arrived at the club."