12.20pm

Today's local press has more on the story that James McFadden and Keith Lasley are about to sign new contracts.  The youngsters are expected to put pen to paper on new deals before Saturday's match with St Johnstone, and Eric Black said:
"Players such as Keith Lasley and James McFadden have come on leaps and bounds since I came to the club and it's great we now have so much competition for places within the team.  The most exciting thing about the youngsters at Motherwell is they have not yet reached their peak and they can get better.  At the moment we are hoping to tie up the likes of Keith Lasley and James McFadden on bigger contracts as we want to try and build the team around these players and negotiations are underway with them just now.  I want players who are hungry to play for Motherwell Football Club and Keith and James come into that category."

18-year-old McFadden has been linked with a £1 million move to Leeds United with their scout taking in several games at Fir Park.  However their interest is set to cool as Faddy is set to sign a three-year deal tying him to Motherwell until 2005.  22-year-old Keith Lasley is expected to sign a new two-year contract and said:
"I'm very happy at Motherwell and I believe we can go onto bigger things, which I want to be a part of.  We have a very confident bunch of players in the dressing and we all want to be successful with the club.  Obviously being a midfielder Scott Leitch has had a big influence on me, but the experience of these players on the park is vital.  They are all good at speaking to the younger players and giving them advice and that's something I'm confident will stand us in good stead for the future."

Looking ahead to Saturday's trip to Perth, Lasley added:
"All the players are still positive between now and the end of the season and we want to finish as high up the table as possible.  We haven't done too well away from home, despite playing well at Fir Park, especially against the likes of Rangers and Celtic, but we have to be positive and try to put as many points on the board as possible in the remaining games."

On the injury front, Yan Soloy is set for a return to the first-team following his lay-off and Eric Deloumeaux is back after suspension.

The Wishaw Press also contains details of the club's AGM, most of which we published last week.

8.45am

Sky have announced that our home game with Celtic on Tuesday, March 19 will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.  The match could potentially see Celtic clinching the SPL championship.  Kick-off is at 7.45pm.

Time for a new Fans' Poll....

Should any of the Fir Park stands be renamed after 'Well legends?

Enter our new Prediction League  - cash prizes to be won!