Motherwell V Inverness CT at Fir Park Stadium : Match Preview

15 August 2014 18:01
Motherwell V Inverness CT - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Loanees could feature for Well

Loan signings Henrik Ojamaa and Mark O'Brien could both go into the Motherwell squad to face Inverness if they receive international clearance in time.

Ojamaa believes his experience with Legia Warsaw has made him a better player.

"Winning the league is the minimum expectation and playing in Europe as well was good experience," he said.

"At Legia there are players that have won a lot of titles and cups, so to be in that winning environment all the time definitely rubs off and makes you more ambitious to have success and to have that last year has been good for my experience."

Irish centre-back O'Brien, 21, comes into Motherwell's injury-hit squad to fill the void left by the departure of Shaun Hutchinson.

Boss Stuart McCall said: "We are delighted Mark has joined us, he is a player we have tracked for some time now.

"He would have been here much earlier but had a slight ankle knock during pre-season.

"Everyone who I've spoke to rates him highly and this is a great opportunity for him to stake a claim for a regular first-team start and show just what he is capable of."

But Well are likely to be without Zaine Francis-Angol after going off at half-time against Dundee United in midweek while already struggling.

Defenders Adam Cummins (muscle strain), Steven Hammell (groin) and Simon Ramsden (calf) are still out along with midfielder Iain Vigurs (nerve injury), while striker Craig Moore (knee) is out long term.

Inverness midfielder Ross Draper believes Motherwell will see an improved Caley side.

The Highlanders beat Stuart McCall's team early last season but lost the following three encounters as the Steelmen built momentum towards another second-place finish in the Scottish Premiership.

However, Draper reckons a pre-season under boss John Hughes, who took over last December, will see his team travel with confidence.

The 25-year-old, who joined Inverness in 2012, said: "Stuart McCall has done a great job on a small budget.

"Since I've been up here they have been up there in the league. They have finished second in front of teams like Aberdeen and Dundee United, which is a big achievement.

"So I would expect them to be there or thereabouts again.

"But we know we are further on than last year, when they beat us 2-1 (twice) and 2-0.

"We know that we are better as a team, having had a pre-season to work together the way the gaffer wants to play.

"So we will be going there to try to win the game. But we know they are a good side and it is the kind of game we look forward to so hopefully it's a cracker."

Defender David Raven has shrugged off a groin complaint.


Source: PA