’Well fix up Polish duo as back-up for goalkeeper Smith

Jan 14 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

MOTHERWELL have signed two Polish goalkeepers as back-up to Graeme Smith.

Artur Krysiak has signed on loan from Birmingham City while 18-year-old Sebastian Kosiorowski has joined the Fir Park youth set-up from Polish side Korona Kielce.

Krysiak, who spent part of last season on-loan at Gretna, said: Its very nice to be back at Motherwell because I made my debut for Gretna last season against them.

I know it will be very hard because Graeme Smith is an excellent keeper, but I hope I get some chances here.

He continued: Im only 19 but this is the fifth club Ive been at since being in Britain.

Ive been at York, Swansea and now Motherwell this season and Gretna and Birmingham last season.

The Poles have been brought on board after Gunnar Nielsen returned to Blackburn Rovers after a six-month stint at Fir Park.

Boss Mark McGhee said: We cant afford two goalkeepers of that quality permanently. So we get someone in who can put Buzz (Graeme Smith) under pressure, as Artur is likely to do, at a cost we can afford.

Meanwhile speculation continues to mount over the future of striker Chris Porter following his goal in the victory over Hearts.

The in-demand forward, whose contract expires at the end of the season, took his tally to eight goals for the season with an 11th-minute winner against the Jambos.

Yet despite increased talk of a potential move to the English Championship, he remains open-minded about his future and is refusing to rule out an extension to his Fir Park contracy.

I'm happy playing here at the minute, he said.

We have started to play well now and I'm enjoying scoring goals again.

If anyone shows interest in me, it shows I must be doing something right on the pitch.

He continued: The speculation doesn't bother me whatsoever.

I have heard people talking but I'm not letting it affect my game.

I will just deal with whatever happens.

However, the Wigan-born forward does see himself moving closer to home at some stage.

He said: I'm away from my family and everything but I'm enjoying it up here and have done so since I've been here.

Ideally though, as I get older, I would probably look to move back towards home.