Source: FOOTYMAD
Gow Released Again
Alan Gow always seems to be the player a club lets go. Stuart McCall was only just getting settled into his manager's seat before the transfer window was opened and he had to start making the hard decisions about his squad. Like all managers, McCall knew he had to let players go to free up wages to allow new players to be brought in. Step forward Alan Gow who is the first player McCall is willing to release. With his contract due to end next week, Gow has been told there will not be any new one on offer. Midfielder Marc Fitzpatrick is also out of contract in the very near future but his future is yet to be decided. McCall has also lost top scorer Nick Blackman, although he remains hopeful that the striker will renew his loan deal despite interest from Aberdeen. Former Airdrie United, Rangers, Falkirk and Hibs forward Gow delivered a two goal return for his efforts in 17 games for Motherwell since joining in September and could be reunited with former Fir park manager Craig Brown at Aberdeen. McCall said: "We will not be renewing his contract. He had a little niggle anyway and would have missed Sunday. The reason we have not taken Alan on is not his ability, it's the fact it frees up a wage, we can strengthen other areas of the park that need strengthening. And obviously with Nick going out it gives us two wages and we'll be looking to bring people in. We will discuss Marc after the cup tie." All the contract discussions are a distraction for McCall as he prepares for his side to meet Dundee in the Scottish Cup fourth round at Dens Park this weekend. However, McCall has been given encouragement that Blackman could return to Fir Park once he sorts out his long-term future with Blackburn, but he is looking for reinforcements in the meantime. The Fir Park manager said: " I can only go on what I have been told both by Nick and his agent, if he does come back north of the border it will be back to Motherwell. How long we would have to wait for that, we will see. The last few days have been inundated with making calls and trying to get people in but when you take someone from England you need to take them for six months. There are a few possibilities but the lads in the English Premier will probably go to the Championship if they have a chance. Plus finance-wise, we wouldn't be able to afford that. We would like to get people in as quick as possible but we have a month to do it and we have to make sure they are the right people because they are here for five months. Agents are suggesting players who I'm researching and then finding out they are out with the wage bill or they have gone to a Championship club. Every manager will tell you they follow up dead ends but you have got to follow them up." As well as losing the strike pairing from his first game in charge, a goalless draw at Hamilton, McCall will also be without the injured Steven Saunders against Dundee. But midfielder Steve Jennings is set to make his first appearance since his red card against Hearts last month, which remains the focus of an investigation by the SFA after bookmakers reported "unusual" betting patterns. McCall said: "He has served his three-game suspension and he has shown in training he is desperate to get back in. I have had to pull the reins on him in training, we can't afford any more injuries. He is desperate to get back out on a football park and perform how he was before his suspension." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is Scottish-Fitba Net
