Motherwell captain Stephen O'Donnell knows losing Tony Watt to Dundee United would be far from ideal - but January investment can see the Steelmen move forward without their top scorer.
The striker has netted 10 times this season and rejected a new Motherwell contract earlier this month, with his deal set to expire in May.
He's believed to have signed a pre-contract with 'Well's Premiership rivals Dundee United, and talks are said to be ongoing over whether the deal can be moved from next summer to January.
Watt was left on the bench as Motherwell finished up for 2021 ahead of the winter break with a 2-1 Premiership win over Livingston, Kevin Van Veen netting a double.
O'Donnell hopes that manager Graham Alexander has a player or two in mind to help the club maintain their fourth placed position.
He said: "Tony has done exceptionally well for us this season. He's been brilliant.
"Like any player who does well for you, it's great for him personally if he wants to move on to another challenge. It's up to us as a club to replace him.
"Connor Shields and Jordan Roberts have done themselves no harm in competing for that place. It's important we get quality in this January if we want to keep pushing. And get them in the positions the gaffer targets.
"If that's a replacement for Tony if he goes, then great. He's got big boots to fill. Tony has done well and I wish him well if he does go.
"It's important we replace and replace well. I'm confident the gaffer and staff will do it."
Van Veen started through the middle for Motherwell as Watt watched from the bench, scoring a superb free-kick and nice glanced header against Livingston.
O'Donnell says the Dutchman must continue his form post-winter break: "Kevin has that quality and you've seen it from the first day of the season.
"He's had a couple of niggles here and there which have maybe curtailed his Motherwell career. But he still has a good return and again you've seen the quality he possesses.
"He scored goals, he had more chances, he slipped people in and he showed he's a very good player. Let's hope he continues that form after the break."
The win over Livingston was Motherwell's fourth consecutive home victory, the first time they've managed the feat since 2019. It capped off a positive first half of the season that has the club sitting fourth in the league.
O'Donnell added: "We had most chances and I don't think was worked particularly hard. But when we went 2-0 up, some sloppiness crept into our game.
"If we want to stay where we are, we need to make sure that doesn't happen. The way we're playing has been very effective and we need to make sure that's the way it stays.
"We need to be realistic and target safety first. We're close to getting to a points target that will guarantee that. Once we get there, hopefully we can start targeting other things.
"But until we get there, we just have to keep grafting and working hard."
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