Keith Curle has spoke of his determination to keep Alan Judge at the football club.
Judge has been linked away from Meadow Lane during the January transfer window, due to his eye-catching performances in the black and white stripes.
The Irishman, who has expressed a desire to remain with the club, netted Notts’ equaliser in the 1-1 draw with high-flying Sheffield United on Saturday to cap off another hard working display.
More rumours surrounding the player are likely to surface before the transfer window at the end of the month but the manager is eager to keep Judge in his squad, as the team looks to mount a promotion challenge in the second half of the season.
“There’s been a bit of speculation about people putting deals together to try and get Alan Judge on loan and take him away from the football club,” Curle told Magpie Player.
“I’ve made my views very clear on that, I don’t want Alan Judge to leave.
“I think he’s paramount to what we’re trying to build on this season but I’m mindful that if a deal comes along that suits the football club firstly, then Alan Judge secondly, obviously you have to listen to it, because every player’s got his price.
“Alan Judge is enjoying his football and reveling in his development in himself as a player and I think that’s key.
“I think Alan went through a spell where he wasn’t enjoying his football and wasn’t enjoying performing.
“Now, he’s the first one in and one of the last ones to leave, he’s got a smile on his face and wants to do extra.
“He’s developing into a very good prospect.”
On Tuesday night, Notts face Oldham Athletic at Meadow Lane (7.45pm kick-off) and Curle wants his side to build on the positives from the weekend’s game.
County overcame the odds against the Blades, having played more than an hour with 10 men.
He continued: "I think it's an a fantastic opportunity for us to build on the effort that was put in on Saturday.
“There was a lot of hard work but you need to follow that up and to do it with a victory at home would be ideal for us.
“They're a very good team, Oldham, they'll be disappointed with where they are in the league but they've been very unlucky."
The Meadow Lane clash with Oldham will go ahead should the pitch pass a 10am inspection.
Look out for further details here on the official site.
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