Motherwell manager Stuart McCall insists his January transfer plans have not been derailed by Nick Blackman's decision to join Aberdeen.
McCall last week stated he had been told by Blackman's agent and Blackburn manager Steve Kean that the 21-year-old would re-sign for Motherwell if he came back to Scotland on loan. But he opted to join former Well boss Craig Brown at Pittodrie after netting 10 goals under the veteran manager during his five-month loan spell this term.
However, McCall said: "I'm not too sore about Nick and his decision. Over the last 10 days or so I have had an idea that he wouldn't be coming back, so we have tried to look at different options."
The former Bradford boss added: "He said after the Hamilton game that if he returned to Scotland he would love it to be with Motherwell because he was settled here, but I think he and his agent were hopeful he would stay in England.
"I spoke to his agent on Thursday and it sounded like even he was surprised with the decision. Craig Brown and Steve Kean are very close and I can understand why it has happened.
"Hopefully by the beginning of next season we will get someone in who can be just as good as Nick, if not better."
McCall is on the hunt for a striker and a left winger after losing Blackman, Alan Gow and Marc Fitzpatrick.
"Three players have left recently, so that frees up a little bit of money in the kitty to bring in new players, which we hope to do next week," McCall said.
McCall could lose another player after Sheffield Wednesday had a bid rejected for defender Mark Reynolds, whose contract expires in the summer.
"There hasn't been another offer for Mark since the limited offer we received about a week or so ago," he said. "I know the lad has missed out on a couple of deals in the past, but unless the right offer comes in I don't think it is a good move to let him go.
Source: PA
