ST MIRREN chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick says Saints are willing to risk losing Lewis Morgan for next to nothing next summer to keep the winger at the club this season.

The Buddies knocked back two bids, with the highest believed to be around £200,000, from English Championship side Burton Albion earlier this week for the 20-year-old.

Morgan's contract at St Mirren runs out in the summer of 2018 and Saints have so far been unable to convince him to sign an extension.

Morgan came through the Rangers youth system and moved to the Buddies in 2014, meaning if he leaves at the end of next season St Mirren will only receive a nominal fee.

However after selling prized assets Kyle McAllister and Stevie Mallan to English clubs in the last six months, Fitzpatrick is adamant Saints are willing to risk the financial hit and dig their heels in to ensure Morgan stays in Paisley to spearhead Saints' challenge for promotion in the Championship next season.

He said: “We’ve made that decision. That’s from the manager to the directors, we don’t want to sell Lewis at all.

"We know he’s only got a year left, we’ve offered him a new contract and that’s been the case for a while.

“We know we could potentially lose a lot of money if his contract runs down but I think it is more important that we keep the player than try and take money in just now.

"He’s a top young player and we’re willing to take the hit, I know people think we’ll cave in but we won’t.

“Lewis might still have have a change of heart sign with us, and I wouldn’t rule that out."