Moroccan Internationalist arrives on trial


Motherwell have taken Nancy`s Moroccan midfielder Said Chiba on trial, with a view to signing him on loan until the end of the season. The 30-year-old made 26 appearances last season for Nancy but is looking for more regular first team football. He made his international debut in 1991 and played a vital role in helping Morocco qualify for France 98.

Reports suggest that the new trialists will take part in a closed-doors game against Airdrie tomorrow. No further details of the match are available at present.

Keith Lasley attended today's press conference and spoke of the team's performance at Easter Road last week:
"It was a good performance, it's a hard place to go and get anything but we all worked hard together. All the young ones did well and it was good to see Hammell, Dougie Ramsay and even Pearo playing at the end of the game. We were disappointed at not holding on but we at least deserved a point and it is a good point considering how well Hibs have been playing. It has given all the young lads a lift. We all enjoyed it especially as it was on Sky against the high flying Hibernian team. We all knew it would be a great opportunity for us and hopefully the fans will see it that way. Even though some of the others have left we have to look upon it as an opportunity for ourselves. We have taken ourselves to within one point of the top six and we have a really big match coming up against Rangers next Saturday. Rangers at Ibrox a few months ago was my debut and I must admit I was a bit nervous but I really enjoyed it and it was a great experience for me. The more experienced players helped me on the day but we realise that Rangers are a quality side and we will have to go out and work hard just like we did against Celtic to stand a chance. We have to make sure we don't concede anything and then after that it's all about the work ethic."

Billy Davies was then asked about possible new signings:
"We have brought in a few this week and we have arranged a game for tomorrow and we are sure we have some decent players to look at. It's too early to say if any of the new guys will play against Rangers, but I have to say that game is still far from our minds at the moment".

BD was then asked if the momentum had faltered with the free week following the performance against Hibs:
"Actually it was a good thing for us, we needed a good break and a chance to analyse and look at others. The youngsters themselves who have come in don't seem to see the importance or the pressure involved in these games. They just seem delighted to get stuck in and run for fun and I am delighted to give them an opportunity that they seem ready to grab. We will however have to continue to work with them and realise that they will have to be brought in and taken out at the right times. We are not being carried away and other players will be brought in, specifically more experienced players. We tried to get Nisa Saveljic but the timing stopped it happening, but there will be others. More concerning is the fact that Townsley, Kemble and Adams are suspended for the Rangers game. Goodman, Harvey and Nicholas may all be back and Scott Leitch is the only other doubt. It was a massive point against Hibs and to be honest I think we deserved all three but we will settle for what was a very important point under the circumstances. All I can ask of the players is to work like that every week between now and the end of the season and to continue to believe in themselves."

Speaking in this morning's Daily Star, Benito Kemble claims that playing through injury may have cost him the chance of getting a new deal at Fir Park. Kemble says he started games when he should have been resting injuries as a favour to Billy Davies, who apparently didn't appreciate his efforts. Benny said:
"I haven't been offered a new deal. The gaffer has spoken to me on one occasion and said I still had everything left to play for, bit I think I need to know what's happening now, as it's getting near the end of the season. I've been playing well as far as I'm concerned, and as I'm not one of the big earners, I would love to stay but they have to let me know."

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