Livingston boss David Martindale says it will take ‘crazy’ money for the club to sell Joel Nouble in January.The attacker is closing in on a return to fitness following knee inflammation but won’t be fit for tomorrow’s trip to Ross County.The former Aldershot Town man has earned rave reviews during his time in Scottish football - and Martindale insists there’s still plenty of room for improvement in the 26-year-old.But he says it wouldn’t benefit either the club or player if he were to be sold this transfer window.He commented: “He’s not going anywhere this month.
First and foremost, my phone needs to ring and I know what I’m going to be saying at the other end of it.“It would need to be crazy money for that to happen.
I don’t think it’s beneficial to Livingston and I don’t think it’s beneficial to Joel either.“I wouldn’t be doing the best for the club as a whole.
You’d be looking at the short-term by chasing that money, as opposed to the long-term.“I think it’s a decision I’ll make in the summer but I don’t think it’s a decision I really want to make in January anyway.“It would have to be something extremely stupid to change my mind.”The big man has put in a string of fine displays since arriving back at the club midway through last season following a hugely successful stint on loan at Arbroath.And Martindale says the striker’s ability to read and understand the game - as well as his desire to improve and find solutions - is just as valuable as what he can do with the ball at his feet.He added: “He’s shown he’s got the intellectual and football knowledge and ability to kick on his game.“That’s the one thing I would say, a skillset in football that’s underestimated is your intellect.“People put it down to your ability,
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