SAINTS manager Russell Martin ruled out a potential loan exit for striker Sekou Mara and insisted: "It would be mad." 

The 21 year old Frenchman has been linked with a potential loan move both last summer and this month in unconfirmed reports elsewhere.

Martin has moved to rubbish the claims after Mara scored his second goal of the season in Saturday's 4-0 win over Walsall.

Mara, signed from French outfit Bordeaux last summer, played 76 minutes of the FA Cup third round clash in his first start for Saints since September. 

Mara also scored and assisted in respective substitute league appearances against Blackburn Rovers and Swansea City last month. 

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Martin said: "He’s not going anywhere, no. It would be mad, wouldn’t it?" 

Daily Echo: Sekou Mara has four goals in 46 appearances for SaintsSekou Mara has four goals in 46 appearances for Saints (Image: Stuart Martin)

"He is a really good footballer, a good technician, and a brilliant athlete. I really liked his performance against Walsall.

"I really rate Sekou and he has not had a huge amount of minutes, but he is coming more to the fore now and forcing his way into reckoning. 

"He knew what I felt he needed to improve to play more and he is definitely doing that, he is a conscientious boy. 

"Sekou is really laid back as a character and that is one of his biggest strengths but can almost be his biggest weakness. 

"He can come across chilled at times but that is also why he will score a lot of goals. It's easy to think a manager is saying one thing and doing another.

"But he knows how I feel and he will be a big player for us between now and the end of the season."

Mara will likely return to the bench for Saturday's Championship clash with Sheffield Wednesday, which could see the club match their all-time unbeaten run.