Northampton Town striker Marc Richards has told Ivan Toney to stick with Northampton, at least until the end of this season.
Toney, who completed his apprenticeship just a few months ago was set to join Wolves last month but the deal fell through.
And Richards believes that the 18-year-old striker would benefit from staying at the Sixfields in the short-term.
“He just needs that bit of direction. I think it will do him good to see the season out here,” Richards, 32, told BBC Radio Northampton.
“Play as many games until the end of the season and see what happens.”
Toney who has hit 6 goals this term was set to move to Molineux with a fee of £500,000 being banded around, however the transfer failed to materialise.
Northampton manager Chris Wilder said “a few things” caused that to happen though he expects further interest in the teen front-man in January.
Richards, who is the club’s top scorer this season with 9 goals, outlined the reasons his fellow forward should stick around.
“I had a similar thing at Blackburn. I went out on loan to Crewe who were in the Championship – I maybe should have gone to a lower-league team,” he said.
“I had the opportunity to go to Bristol Rovers for a whole season. I probably would have played more there.
“I can certainly see the temptation for Ivan to go to a club like Wolves but, from my own past experience, I would advise Ivan to stick it out here.
“There is hype around him but he’s still learning and is still raw. With some good management he can be whatever he wants to be.”
