Martin Allen insists Izale McLeod will not be leaving Milton Keynes Dons in January.
Martin Allen insists Izale McLeod will not be leaving Milton Keynes Dons in January.
McLeod has scored 18 goals this season and the striker has been linked with a transfer window switch to a higher division.
But MK Dons boss Allen is determined to lead the club to promotion and feels players of McLeod's calibre need to stay with the League Two side.
"None of our players will be leaving," Allen told Sky Sports News. "We have got room to strengthen. We have been looking.
"We move into a fantastic new stadium at the end of the season, so it would be pointless to sell our star players, or good players.
"We are trying to build a football club here for the future, not to just be half-season wonders. It's a long-term project we're involved in and you've got to keep your best players."
Allen also praised the attitude of McLeod, adding: "He's been fantastic, not only with his goalscoring, but it's also his team play, his willingness and his work ethic.
"He perhaps had a reputation of being lazy and single minded to only score goals for himself.
"That turned out to only be a reputation as I have been working with him for six months and he has been absolutely terrific.
"He is going to get better and better, and in a few years' time will be playing in the top level."
