Captain’s return is big boost

Jan 17 2007 Report by Joe O’Brien Photos by Jim Donnelly, Wishaw Press

MOTHERWELL manager Maurice Malpas admits the ideal candidate in his search for an experienced midfield player is right under his nose.

The Fir Park gaffer hopes influential midfielder Phil O’Donnell can be back in action at the beginning of February after more than five months out injured.

The veteran midfielder has been on the sidelines since going under the knife for a persistent Achilles injury in August.

And, as Malpas continues his search for experience in the middle of the park, he insists the imminent return of O’Donnell couldn’t have come at a better time.

He said: “Phil has all the characteristics I’m looking for in the middle of the park.

“At the moment we are looking to strengthen the side and are searching for an experienced midfielder as we’re a bit short of those but Phil returning will definitely make us stronger and could be a blessing in disguise.

“He’s a model pro and has been working extremely hard to get himself fit by doing a lot of cycling recently but the weather has set him back a bit as there’s nowhere for him to cycle or run due to the conditions being so bad.

“We’re hoping he’ll be back around the beginning of February which will be a massive boost for us.”

As O’Donnell gradually makes his recovery behind the scenes at Fir Park, Malpas insists no-one will be leaving during the transfer window.

Speculation had been mounting that star strikers Scott McDonald and Richie Foran could be heading down south with Foran, ‘Well’s top scorer this season, reportedly interesting Southend.

However Malpas said: “No-one will be leaving in January and I will continue to say that until the transfer window closes.”

‘Well have allowed three of the club’s fringe players to go on loan though.

Defender Bobby Donnelly has joined Stranraer with both Shaun Fagan and Adam Coakley spending time at Third Division Stenhousemuir.

Malpas added: “This will give them an opportunity to get some games under their belts as, particularly with Shaun, they’ve not played much recently. Shaun’s had a terrible time with injuries and illness so this’ll give him a chance to get back into the swing of things.”

Motherwell entertain Aberdeen this week at Fir Park in a game that sparked a war of words between the sides last weekend.

“They felt that we should have put the game back 24 hours as they have a Scottish Cup game against Hibernian tomorrow night (Thursday),” said Malpas. “We refused, however, as we’d already sold all our hospitality packages and would lose a lot of money. Aberdeen obviously didn’t like that and slaughtered us for it but that’s the end of the matter.

“We play them on Saturday but the game will take care of itself. We’re at home and have been going pretty well recently but still need to pick up points, which I’m confident we’ll do.”

Jim Paterson and David Clarkson are still to serve one-game suspensions after last week’s away game at St Mirren was called off due to flooding.

But Marc Fitzpatrick and Kevin McBride could return.

Full-back Paul Quinn is struggling with flu.