MANAGER Russell Martin admits he will not ask Romeo Lavia to start against Norwich City on the weekend as he updated following a tumultuous week of transfer links.

Lavia has been the subject of a constantly changing transfer saga with incredible developments in the last 48 hours leaving his future shrouded in uncertainty.

Liverpool were the favourites to land the 19 year old Belgian before Chelsea gazumped them with an 11PM £48million bid on Tuesday evening.

The Reds are now set to sign Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, amid still facing fierce competition from the Blues, but could come back in for Lavia – who might also be Stamford Bridge bound, or elsewhere.

Lavia was an unused substitute in the opening-day victory at Sheffield Wednesday last Friday but may feature for Martin against Norwich City on Saturday.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, the boss said: “It’s not easy but he trained really well today. He’s not had enough minutes in pre-season.

“I don’t think id ask him to start a game after the minutes he has had and everything that is going on. In these situations, you think back to yourself as a 19 year old.

“How would you cope with that? He’s been great, some days much better than others but there has been so much noise and he is a really top lad and really top player.

“The Romeo situation has been really fluid throughout and other things may happen in the market that influence the situation, we have no control over that.

“Romeo is getting fitter and fitter and trained really well, whether he will be in the squad or not I just don’t know and I can’t give you an answer.”