MOTHERWELL manager Stephen Robinson believes Louis Moult’s future remains up for grabs – but he has accepted the striker will not be at Fir Park next season.

Preston are believed to have moved close to securing Moult with some reports claiming the Ladbrokes Premiership top goalscorer has signed a pre-contract to join the Sky Bet Championship club in the summer. But Robinson claims Moult could still be sold in January.

The 26-year-old, who has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season, is in his third and final season at Fir Park and recently netted his 50th goal for the club.

Robinson said: “I don’t know anything about pre-contracts, I’m not sure they are worth the paper they are written on anyway. Obviously there is a lot of interest in Louis and we have spoken to clubs about Louis. They have contacted us and had the respect to contact us. So that’s currently ongoing.

“We have made Louis numerous contract offers now and Louis has told me he won’t be at the club after the end of the season.

“So we have to weigh up in January if someone comes in with the money that benefits the club, we may look to take that. If it’s not, we will look to keep him.”

When asked whether any club had indicated they would make a bid during the transfer window, Robinson said: “There are clubs who are very interested in him and if it goes to the summer then it becomes a scramble.”

Moult will miss tonight’s trip to face Partick Thistle with the hamstring injury that is set to keep him out until the winter break.

Robinson expects Thistle to turn their season around at some stage after a 5-1 defeat at Kilmarnock left them four points adrift at the bottom of the table, but he is determined to ensure the fightback comes after their trip to Maryhill.

“They are a good side and it surprises me where they are,” Robinson said.

“We have to be on our guard that there’s a backlash from that result.”