8.40am

Today's Sun reports that new signings Khaled Khemes and Daniel Sengewald are both still struggling with ankle injuries and will miss the match with Partick Thistle on Saturday.  Terry Butcher welcomes Shaun Fagan back to the squad after sitting out the Livingston game through suspension, but Derek Adams has one more game to serve of his ban.  Stephen Pearson should be ok despite not being 100% fit against Livingston.

Butcher is hoping his side can go one better after their battling performance at Almondvale:
"Ideally, we are looking for more of the same from the players against Partick and if everyone works just as hard then I’m hopeful we can win.  Partick managed to get a good point against Dundee Utd, so we are already playing catch-up with them, but they are a very similar side to ourselves in terms of having an excellent work ethic.  From our point of view, it’s good to be playing at home because the fans really get behind us at Fir Park and the players, especially the youngsters, respond to their backing.  It’s important we get points quickly, but it would be tremendous if we could get another good support in on Saturday to get behind the players."

Butcher also heaped praise upon Kevin McDonald and his captain, Scott Leitch:
"I thought Kevin had a great game and I didn’t want to take him off near the end, but I had to put a striker on.  It was a tremendous debut from him, but it just shows the type of young player we have coming through at Motherwell with the likes of William Kinniburgh and Shaun Fagan breaking into the first-team as well.  The great thing is the youngsters are not afraid to come in and show what they can do, so I’m quite happy to give them a chance.

"I was also delighted with Scott’s performance. He demands a lot from himself and you can see that whenever he plays.  As captain he really does my job when the players get on the field in terms of passing on instructions and he was excellent in helping to keep the heads up and get the team going on Saturday."

Butcher also insisted that no further signings would be made until extra money becomes available:
"We have plenty of ideas about who we want to bring in, but I can’t do anything just now because of the financial situation.  However, we’re still making enquiries and we’ll see what happens."

The new strip will apparently not go on sale at the Well Shop until August 16.

Former Motherwell player Brian Martin has signed for Wishaw Juniors.

The Official 'Well Site contains details of road closures around Fir Park on Saturday.

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