Craig Brown has said he will rely on an old pals act in the hope of keeping John Ruddy at the club. The on-loan Everton keeper’s form has been instrumental to Motherwell’s impressive recent run but has inevitably led to the player being linked with a move elsewhere.

Celtic are among the clubs said to be monitoring Ruddy’s situation but Brown said there are three possibilities for the stopper at the end of the season. A return to Everton or a transfer elsewhere are options but Brown said he hoped the player would remain at Fir Park.

“John is sensible enough to know that he just keeps playing well and he will have clubs interested in him but his future will be determined by David Moyes and not by Motherwell Football Club,” the Motherwell manager said.

“Everton will determine where he plays next season. I will contact David, in the next week or two, about his future, is he prepared to extend the loan, does the player want to stay?

“He likes playing for Motherwell but David Moyes might have other ideas, he might want to sell him elsewhere, he might want to keep him.”

Brown was appointed as permanent successor to Moyes at Preston North End and said he would rely on his history with the Everton boss in order to persuade him to let Ruddy stay.

“David’s a friend but he’s got his own interests to look after,” he admitted.

“Quite clearly Everton’s interests are David’s priority, not Motherwell’s but I think if anyone would do a favour to a friend it would be David.”

Motherwell have proved a tough nut to crack under Brown and he credited Ruddy as a major factor in their defensive strength.

“He’s a huge presence physically, a huge influence on the team, not only is his goalkeeping outstanding his distribution is terrific,” the manager added.

“You couldn’t get a better goalkeeper at this level, in fact at any level because he’s such a safe pair of hands.

“He’s such a big influence on the Motherwell team that the prospect of going on without him is not very encouraging.”

However, the Fir Park boss said that the club had a ready replacement if Ruddy did move on and paid tribute to his reserve keeper’s patience.

“We have a very fine goalkeeper, Michael Fraser, who must be frustrated at not getting a game,” he said.

“Terry Butcher brought him down from Inverness and he’s been a very loyal and conscientious replacement for John Ruddy.

“John hasn’t been hurt so Michael hasn’t had a game but I would have no hesitation about putting Michael Fraser in.”