Crows Head of Football David Noble says he’s very comfortable with Patrick Dangerfield’s position at the Club, adding he would be “staggered” if the two-time All Australian requested a move during the upcoming trade period.

Dangerfield, 24, will become a restricted free agent when his contract expires at the end of next season, prompting external speculation he should be traded with 12 months to run on his current deal.

On Monday, Dangerfield’s manager, Paul Connors, told AFL Trade Radio the star midfielder was settled in Adelaide. A short time later, Noble echoed Connors’ thoughts.

“We’re very comfortable with where we’re at with Patty,” Noble said.

“We’ve had ongoing discussions with Patty for a long time in regards to where his future is and the direction we’re taking; he’s part of that direction. The indications that he’s given to us are that he’s very settled and wants to stay. It was always at this time of year that we would sit down and work through with both Patty and Paul Connors as to what the future direction looks like.

“It (the speculation) is not unusual. We get to this portion of the trade period each year and every club from Melbourne asks about him and have done for the last three years.

“I’d be staggered if Patrick came to us in the next fortnight and said that (a trade) was where his thinking was. I don’t see that happening.”

Noble said he understood calls from a section of the football public, who have witnessed the likes of Jack Gunston and Kurt Tippett depart in recent years, for Adelaide to trade Dangerfield for full value rather than run the risk of losing him for lesser compensation as a free at the end of next season.

But Noble said the Crows wouldn’t be trading the blue-chip onballer and 2014 acting co-captain.

“The superstars are just too hard to get. (If you trade them) you’ve got to start again and go through that whole process,” Noble said.

“There’s an element that would say, ‘If there’s a risk that’s you’ve got to mitigate in the coming 12 months then why wouldn’t you consider that (a trade) right now?’

“Our push has been that we’ve worked really hard to maintain a core (group of players) together that you can build around and work towards playing finals on a regular basis and winning the ultimate prize. You can only do that by keeping good, solid stars together.

“It’s no different than with Rory and Tex as well. We understand the implications of having those three big names coming out of contract at the same time.”

Noble confirmed the Club is also keen to retain out-of-contract midfielder, Jarryd Lyons.

“We’re in constant contact with his manager. We’re keen for Jarryd to stay,” he said.

“He can go forward and take a catch and kick some goals, so as a midfielder who can rotate forward – those guys are gold.”

Despite not having a senior coach in place, the Crows will continue to work to the existing list management strategy. Noble identified three key areas of need heading into the upcoming trade and draft periods.

“A new coach coming in may have a slightly different philosophy or style … but we’re still working forward to execute what that strategy looks like. We need to find another ruck at the moment; probably a little bit more in defence and a bit of speed,” he said.

“Those, generally, you’re still able to do. When it comes down to the nitty gritty of who those players might be and whether it’s in the draft or trade, that’s probably where it gets a bit trickier.

“We’re on top of what we need in those specific areas. We would like to think there will be one or two players coming in (during the trade period).”