Trevor Benjamin has been targeted by West Bromwich Albion who reportedly made an enquiry about the other half of our strike force soon after Martin Butler completed this move to Reading.

On Monday, the official WBA web site revealed that Benjamin had been watched by the first division outfit and manager Brian Little commented, "He's the type of player who we will be looking at. Ritchie Barker has seen him a few times and he's got a good reputation. We've got to be looking at players who could be worth a lot if they do well for us."

The Baggies have money to spend after selling Enzo Maresca to Juventus for £4m last week, and they have been linked with several strikers in recent days including Bristol Rovers pair Jamie Cureton and Jason Roberts and Colchester's Lomana Tresor Lua-Lua.

The Midlands press reported that WBA general manager John Wile made a direct approach for Benjamin to U's chairman Reg Smart yesterday, but in today's Cambridge Evening News Roy McFarland said it would be "suicidal" to sell Benjamin now.

"We have found it difficult to cope in the second division with Trevor and Martin Butler in the side," he said. "In my opinion it would be very difficult to win the relegation battle without both of them. I don't believe our directors would consider Trevor's transfer now, because it would also mean losing faith with the fans. They've given us great support during a very tough season, both home and away, and haven't got on the players' backs as we saw happen at Reading when we played there recently.

"Trevor is a great prospect, but in my opinion he needs more time with us to develop all aspects of his game, and to grow as a personality. I'd like to see him take up the challenge to become an idol of the fans like Martin Butler, John Taylor and Dion Dublin. If he continues to play as he has done in the last few matches he could take on that kind of importance at the club.

"He will play at a higher level, but he's still only 20 years old, and has plenty of time. As I said, I can't see any transfer being agreed so soon after Martin's departure, but there is always what I call the silly money scenario in football. Everybody has his price if enough is offered."

On Monday director Gary Harwood reacted to supporters' concerns by commenting on the U's Net message board about Benjamin, stating, "Trevor is an integral part of Roy's team. He is also on a long contract with the Club.

"It is impossible to say 'under no circumstances' as everything in this world has a price. At the moment I can not (in my wildest dreams) imagine any club in the country offering us a price that would be so good we would be unable to refuse before transfer deadline day. In other words he will not be going anywhere."