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Swansea manager Roberto Martinez remains determined to hold on to Jason Scotland despite the striker recently hinting that he could leave for a Premier League club in the summer.
The Trinidad & Tobago international has scored 24 goals so far this season and, although the Swans missed out on a play-off place, Martinez believes Scotland can still live the Premier League dream with Swansea.

He told the Western Mail: "He is under contract so he is going to be here [in August]. We don't need to sell him and we want him to be an important player for us next season."

He added: "Jason is a late developer. I don't think he is the same as other players at his age.

"His best years are still in front of him. He is not like a normal 30-year-old where, having started at 18, his body is damaged.

"Jason is exactly the opposite and his experience is helping his talent to be effective on the pitch. So the older he gets, the more experienced and clinical he will be and he still has many, many years in front of him."

Meanwhile, Jason Scotland is ready to quit Championship club Swansea City.

The £2million-rated Trinidad & Tobago ace, who has hit 24 goals this season, has put admirers Middlesbrough and Fulham on red alert after admitting he is open to offers.

Scotland, 30, said: “The Premier League’s where I want to be.

"If an offer came in I’d have to take a long look at it. I’m not getting any younger.”
Scotland earns Martinez plaudits
BBC Sport


Roberto Martinez has praised Swansea City star striker Jason Scotland for surpassing the achievements of one-time fans favourite Lee Trundle.

Scotland and Swans midfielder Jordi Gomez were honoured by their fellow professionals and named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year.

Scotland's 24 goals this season helped inspire the Swans to the verge of the Championship play-offs.

"Jason's achievement is a different level to Lee Trundle's," said Martinez.

Scotland was the front-line replacement for Swansea cult figure Trundle after the man Swans fans hailed as 'Magic Daps' joined Bristol City for £1m in the summer of 2007.

Swansea manager Martinez snapped up the Trinidad and Tobago international from Scottish side St Johnstone for a cut-price £25,000 fee.

But some sections of the Liberty Stadium faithful bemoaned Trundle's departure and struggled to accept Scotland's arrival.

Yet the 30-year-old has been a hit. His 24 league goals last term fired the Swans to the League One title and has scored 51 goals in 101 Swansea games.

Scotland, who scored against Premier League teams Portsmouth and Fulham in this year's FA Cup, has caught the eye of Premier League managers.

"Sometimes goal-scorers arrive at a club and have an easy path but Jason did not, he had to build his own path," said Martinez.

"Now he has a great relationship with the fans but at the beginning it wasn't that easy.

"No-one tried to replace Lee Trundle because that was impossible but we've changed things to become a strong side, now we are relying on 24 players rather than one to win football games.

"Jason has scored goals at a different level to Lee as he helped us to win the League One championship and consolidate our place in the Championship.

"The responsibility he takes is impressive and I believe he has another level in his play. Jason blows you away with way he plays his football and the way he has adapted his football in this division.

"I'm glad Jason is getting the recognition he deserves but I'm more delighted that the fans love Jason and Jason loves being at Swansea City.

Trundle was a talismanic figure for Swansea - scoring 85 times in 160 games - and his showboating skills and stunning goals earned him widespread attention.

Now Scotland, the player replaced on the cheap, has been linked with a summer switch to Middlesbrough.

"It was impossible for anyone to step into Lee's shoes," said Martinez.

"You cannot replace characters like Lee, his achievement is for everyone to remember and he is a Swansea City legend.

"But when you lose a player you have to work hard to replace him and find a different way to play.

"Sometimes spending lots of money doesn't always buy success and signing Jason is proof of that - but sometimes money helps."