Motherwell manager Graham Alexander has confirmed he is in talks with Kevin Van Veen over a new deal at Fir Park.
The Dutchman has been a key figure this season for the boss he used to work with at Scunthorpe United, and his absence due to suspension in defeats against Rangers and Dundee United has been apparent.
He is set to return against Ross County on Saturday afternoon as the Steelmen look to keep their Europa Conference League hopes alive.
Netting 10 times with seven assists this campaign, Alexander knows the importance of keeping the 30-year-old striker in ML1.
His deal expires next summer but the former Scotland international wants to make sure he's not playing next season with less than 12 months on his deal.
He said: “Kevin has a year left on his deal but we had a brief chat a few weeks ago about looking to extend that.
“We agreed to get through to the split and then sit down properly. We don’t want him to go into next season going into his last year.
“He has enjoyed his football after a difficult couple of years with injury. We gave him a place where he is trusted and loved and he has responded to that.
“His quality is undoubted. Coming to us has ticked off the things we spoke about last summer, the profile of playing for Motherwell and some of the grounds and teams we play against.
“I don’t lie to players and he has seen what we spoke about was true and he is in a good place.
“A big thing for him is being respected in the dressing room and the boys love him and that’s important for Kev.
“Where he has played in England you don’t get to play in major cup finals, play in Europe or play in front of 50,000 or 60,000."
Alexander added: “I knew with the quality he has he can be as good as anyone. He has to have consistency and he knows that.
“Not having him for the last two games was difficult with his suspension. I don’t know if he deserved 12 bookings but he is back."
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