Martindale says Nouble has 'done enough' to earn a contract elsewhere

David Martindale wants to see the back of Livingston striker Joel Nouble this month – but only for the best possible reasons.

The Livi boss revealed there has been “bits and bobs” of interest in his 27-year-old star forward, who signed from Aldershot in July 2021.

Nouble had immediately joined Arbroath on a season-long loan but was recalled in the January transfer window after which he became a key player for the Lions, scoring seven goals in 36 appearances last season.

Speaking ahead of the Premiership opener at home to Aberdeen on Saturday, Martindale was asked if he expected Nouble to be at Livingston when the transfer window closed.

He said: “I hope not and I mean that in the nicest possible way. I think he has done enough to earn a big contract elsewhere.

“I would like to see Livingston release some value in that player.

“Joel is in the last year of his contract and every player in the changing room in the last year of their contract is for sale.

“We are not in the business of recruiting, developing, progressing then losing players at the end of their contracts for nothing.

“I don’t think that business model is sustainable, I don’t think it is a great way to go, so I would like to see Joel move on for Joel personally and for the club also.

“I just hope it’s not the end of August with an offer we have to accept because you are approaching the stage of the season where that offer has to be beneficial to the club in terms of ‘do you want to lose a player who can get you top six or maybe keep you in the Premiership?’ or do you want to take a nominal fee for a player and you lose that skill set.

“So I hope he’s not here and I mean that in the nicest possible way, but we will deal with that as and when.

“There has been bits and bobs of interest but what I will say is it has probably been from third parties, no direct contact.

“There has been enough interest in the last six months to suggest Joel might not be here, but the longer the window goes on the more likelihood is that he is probably going to be here.”