KINGSLEY JAMES believes that the speculation linking Maxim Kouogun to Bristol Rovers is testament to the strong form of both the defender and York City this season.

Kouogun is on the radar of Sky Bet League One side Bristol Rovers, according to a report in The Sun on Sunday.

The centre-back has been a key part of York's side since his January move from League of Ireland premier division side Shelbourne.

Kouogun was a regular at the back in the second half of last season, making 26 appearances, as City won promotion through the Vanarama National League North play-offs.

The number four has seamlessly made the transition to the National League this term, featuring in 14 of the Minstermen's first 15 league matches.

From those 15 contests, John Askey's newly-promoted side have conceded just 14 goals. Only three clubs have a better defensive record in the division.

Commenting on the Bristol Rovers rumour, first-team coach James said: “We’ve not had any approach or anything like that.

"That’s not to say that there isn’t any interest, there may well be.

“When players are doing well at this level, they’re always going to be linked with Football League clubs and it’s great that we have any players being linked with Football League clubs.

“It shows that we’re doing well as a team and that they’re doing well as individuals.

"If there’s some interest, that’s just a testament to how well he’s been doing and how well we’ve been doing.”

Kouogun has been a mainstay at the back for York so far in this campaign, despite the competition from Sam Sanders and Fraser Kerr.

The only league match he has missed - the 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe United last month - was due to suspension.

“I think he’s been excellent this season," enthused James.

"Since last season, he’s someone who constantly wants to improve, works hard to improve all the time and he has been excellent for us this season.

"The great thing about Max is that he still wants to keep getting better and keep improving, so when you’ve got a player like that, it really is great to work with.

"He’s just got to keep working, keep improving and keep trying to make himself better.

"In turn, that will make us better.”

The first impressions of Kouogun at York were of a solid defender physically, but one lacking as a ball-playing centre-half, a department of his game that has dramatically improved.

James added: “He’s far more confident now, stepping in with the ball, which is what we need to do, especially if teams play one up front.

"We need the centre-halves stepping out and creating an overload higher up the pitch and he’s done that really well, to be fair to him.

"He’s really quick and really strong.

"If he steps out with the ball, there’s not many strikers that are going to move him off it, to be honest.

"It’s just a confidence thing, he’s a lot more confident this year in possession than he was at times last season.

"Again, that’s down to him and him working constantly on body position when he’s receiving (the ball) and his first touch.

"He’s done a lot of work on that.

"It’s all credit to him that he’s got the confidence to do that now.”

Tomorrow night, York travel to the Towbar Express Stadium to face Whitby Town in the second round of the North Riding County FA Senior Cup (7.30pm).

On the team that City will likely field, James said: “Players who need minutes, who aren’t involved against Chesterfield (tonight, 7.45pm), will be involved.

"That’ll be a mix of first team and youth team.”