Lines has scored six goals in 21 league matches for Bristol Rovers this season

Bristol Rovers director of football Lennie Lawrence says he is going to offer Chris Lines an improved contract in the coming days.

The 24-year-old midfielder has played in all-but-one of Rovers' league games, scoring six goals along the way.

"I'll be looking to make him an offer maybe this week but certainly next week," Lawrence told BBC Radio Bristol.

"It will be an offer that reflects the improvement in his performance over the last six months."

Lines, whose current contract is due to expire in the summer, has come through the ranks at Rovers and made his first team debut in January 2006 against Chester City.

"I hope that the boy will stay because we invested a lot of time and effort in him," said Lawrence.

"Without being unkind when I came here four years ago he had talent but not much else.

"But we were patient and he's come in and become a good player so credit to him for that."

Lines' performances this season have attracted admirers from outside the club but Lawrence says he should think twice about leaving the Memorial Stadium.

"I firmly believe he should stay with us a bit longer, certainly the next eighteen months," he said.

"He has the potential to be a Championship player but if he moves to the wrong club he could lose momentum and it will cost him in his career.

"But when he's 25/26, if we're not in the Championship, he should look to do it.

Lawrence added: "If he continues to improve he could walk into a Championship team but if he leaves too early he could become a squad player in a bottom-half Championship team.

"I've spoken to [chairman] Nick Higgs and the board about the offer and they're with me.

"He's a local boy and we haven't had one through in donkey's years and it will pain me greatly if he leaves before, what I consider to be, his time to leave."

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