Fitzpatrick 'wants to stay' at Linfield - Healy

Linfield manager David Healy says that top goalscorer Matthew Fitzpatrick "wants to stay" at the club.

Healy was speaking after speculation that Fitzpatrick may have to leave the Blues at the end of the season due to work commitments.

Fitzpatrick has scored 17 goals during 31 appearances in the Irish Premiership this season.

"The news broke and it is something we are aware of and something we have spoken to Matthew about," Healy told BBC Sport NI.

"It is something we will discuss over the next little while with Matthew. At the end of the day, he is in control of it and will make the big decision.

"I know he wants to stay, he has been fully committed since he came here and it is a decision we will look at."

It was a challenging weekend for the Blues, whose 10-game unbeaten run in the league came to an end after a 2-0 loss against Cliftonville.

Healy added that his side's performance as "unacceptable" with Linfield now eight points behind the Inver Reds at the top of the table.

"Poor performance, shocking result," he continued.

"Overall, unacceptable and not good enough. We fell way short of the demands to play for this football club.

"We didn't deserve to win the game."