Livingston boss David Martindale says he wants to keep out of contract duo Keaghan Jacobs and Craig Sibbald at the club next season - but admits both could depart before the transfer window closes.
Jacobs is the club's record appearance holder with 309 games in a Livi jersey but the 32-year-old South African has made just three substitute appearances since March 2020 due to injury. He made his debut for the Lions in 2007 and has been at the club ever since - bar a one-year stint in his native country.
Sibbald has struggled for game time this season after suffering from covid and a number of niggling injuries in his fourth season with the club.
Speaking to the West Lothian Courier, Martindale said: "I had a good chat with Sibbs. A couple of clubs have come in for him and he's out of contract in the summer.
"He's hardly played any minutes this season but do I want to lose him? No. Can we continue doing what we're doing? Not really.
"So I put a challenge down to him. I need him to get as fit as possible so I can get him back in the team and offer him a contract in the summer.
"Fair play to him because he's got clubs interested and we spoke about it. I said he had my blessing if he wanted to go but he told me he wanted to stay at Livingston."
He added: "I've had a good chat with Keaghan. He's in a bit of a precarious position but I think there's certain ways you have to treat certain players.
"He's been an unbelievable servant to Livingston Football Club and I'm never going to chase him out the door - but he's also one who wouldn't play a lot next year so I had to be honest with him.
"I would like to try and keep Keaghan at the club but he's every right to say he wants to look elsewhere and play as much football as possible, especially with the stage he is at in his career.
"But I want him to stay at Livingston and I want him to be at the club in some capacity but I can't guarantee him first team football and I understand if he wants to look elsewhere.
"I've got a lot of time for him and lot of respect for what he's done for Livingston Football Club. Whatever Keaghan wants, we'll do everything we can to make it happen.
"Both are wanted at the club but potentially things could happen if there's interest and options available to them."
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