FOREST GREEN manager Mark Cooper is resigned to losing talismanic midfielder Reece Brown this summer.

Cooper expects the ex-Birmingham City man to exit the New Lawn despite doing all within in his powers to persuade the former England Under-20 star to remain at the ambitious League Two outfit.

Cooper resurrected his career after his departure from Birmingham two seasons ago and his eye-catching performances have alerted Leeds United, Bristol City and Reading who are believed to be chasing his signature.

No bids have been yet tabled for Brown, who scored 11 goals from an attacking central midfield role last season, helping Rovers to a fifth-place finish and the play-offs.

If Brown,23, moves on Forest Green would be due compensation as he is under the age of 24.

“I personally can’t see Reece staying,” admitted Cooper.

“I think he will move to a big club and he’s earned that, but he knows if he wants to play this is the best place for him at a lower level, but we can’t compete with big League One and Championship clubs and it will come down to that opportunity and money."

Cooper added: "It's not going to be vast sums of money because he was only with us for two years, but we did everything we could to get him to stay in terms of offering what we offered."