Livingston boss hoping star attacker Joel Nouble earns move this transfer window

Livingston boss David Martindale insists he wants to see Joel Nouble playing his football elsewhere by the end of the month - but only because that means both the club and player will have done well out of a transfer.

The Lions gaffer admitted there has been 'bits and bobs' of interest in the attacker, who is entering the final year of his contract with the West Lothian club.

Nouble, who was the club's joint-top scorer with seven goals last term in his first full campaign with the club, has earned plenty of plaudits but not yet a move away from the Tony Macaroni Arena.

And Martindale admits the longer that goes on, the more likely he is to stay beyond the transfer window closing.

Speaking ahead of this weekend's Premiership opener at home to Aberdeen, Martindale said: "I think he has done enough to earn a big contract elsewhere. I would like to see Livingston realise 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."

He added: "I just hope it’s not the end of August 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