1.40pm

It looks as though Motherwell's bid to sign Kevin Gallacher has fallen through.  We reported earlier that he had been training with Huddersfield Town, and today their manager, Mick Wadsworth, confirmed that Gallacher would turn out for Huddersfield in a reserve match tomorrow night:
"The rumours that Kevin has gone to Motherwell aren't true.  In fact, he's training with us this morning.  I have every intention of putting Kevin in tomorrow's Reserve game against Preston North End.  We do not know at the moment what will happen. He's just training with us at present."

11.25am

In today's local press, Terry Butcher confirms that he has signed former East Fife striker Stevie Ferguson and ex-Bournemouth defender Graeme Mathie, and will make a decision on Kevin Gallacher later in the week.  The club were unable to to get clearance from the English FA to field Gallacher in Monday's U-21 match at Dunfermline, and Butcher said:
"We are going to have a look at Kevin, but the move will depend on how fit he is and what the financial aspects of the deal are.  Obviously, I know Kevin very well from my time with him at Coventry and he would definitely bring experience to the squad, but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens over the course of the week."

Meanwhile, 20-year-old striker Stevie Ferguson has joined on loan from Tottenham until January, and made his Motherwell debut when he came off the bench at Tannadice on Sunday.  Butcher said:
"Stevie did well when he came on against Dundee Utd.  He’s extremely quick and has an eye for goal, as well as being good on the ball, and I’m sure he can make an impact while at the club."

Left-sided defender Graeme Mathie has signed a one-year deal after being released by English side Bournemouth last season.  He played for the Under-21s on Monday and said:
"I have signed a one-year contract initially and it’s up to me to prove myself worthy of a first-team place. There is only a small squad here and the manager is looking to play me at left-back.  I’m looking forward to playing under Terry Butcher. He is a legend in the game and it will be a great experience to play for him and I know I’ll learn a lot in my time here."

Left-back???  What about Stevie Hammell...?

Meanwhile, Terry Butcher looked ahead to the visit of Hibs on Saturday and said:
"I saw them play Dundee last weekend and it’s a game they should have won, but like us against Dundee Utd, they didn’t take their chances and were punished for it.  They are an extremely good team going forward and have exceptional strikers such as Tam McManus, Mixu Paatelainen and Garry O’Connor, so we’re going to have to be at our best to beat them.  People will say because we’re at home we should win given our recent form, but I think we could still be classed as underdogs as I don’t see Hibs as being a bottom of the table side.  Bobby Williamson has a huge squad and I’m sure once they get on a run they’ll quickly climb the table and that’s why I don’t see us as being favourites."

Dirk Lehmann is a doubt for the Hibs game after damaging his hamstring at Tannadice, and Daniel Sengewald could also miss the game after being taken off injured in the Under-21 match on Monday night, in which he had earlier scored both of Motherwell's goals.

It could be a while before we get to see Algerian striker Khaled Kemas in action.  Butcher said:
"He’s had a slight reaction to his ankle ligament injury and is now taking it easy.  He’ll go and see a specialist about it and we just have to wait and see what happens."

Today's Sun reports that Huddersfield may scupper our plans to sign Kevin Gallacher, as they want him to turn out for their reserve side tonight.  The Sun also reports that Scots-born defender Scott Bulloch is over on trial from Australia.

Dave Wardrope has asked me to point out that the result on Monday's Under-21 game was in fact 2-1 to Motherwell!  Apparently Dunfermline's second "goal" was in fact chalked off, although the home crowd didn't seem to know this.

Time for a new opinion poll!

Can Motherwell avoid the drop this season?