Dartford's Sam Odaudu will play in the Football League, predicts manager Alan Dowson

Dartford manager Alan Dowson has tipped Sam Odaudu to play in the Football League - after just one league game.

Odaudu made an impressive National League South debut during last Saturday’s opening-day win at Bath, playing the second half at left-back after starting the match in midfield.

The Dartford academy product impressed during pre-season and Dowson has already seen enough of the teenager to predict a bright future.

“I’ve got players to the Football League before, the likes of Jamal Lowe and Christian Jolley, and Sam’s as good as anyone,” enthused Dowson.

“He was up against their best player on Saturday and he didn’t get past him once.

“We’ve got him under contract and with an option as well so someone will have to buy big, I know what the club is like, they’ve got ambition.

“He’ll be a Football League player, I’ve got no doubt about it. I haven’t seen any better left-backs or midfielders than him for his age - how he was against Charlton’s first team, against Millwall, he was exceptional. Fair play to the Academy for bringing him through.”

Odaudu’s versatility has already been evident and Dowson believes his long-term future will be at left-back.

The Dartford boss is not one to talk players up but the youngster has made a big impression.

“I think he’s a left-back,” added Dowson. “I played there all my career and he’s got everything. He’s strong, he attacks balls in the air.

“He might play a few games in midfield but eventually he’ll be a left-back, and he’ll be a left-back in the Football League in my opinion.

"I’m not going overboard as I never do with players but, honestly, I feel he’s that good that there will be clubs sniffing around him.

“If someone has a spare couple of hundred grand, they should go for him