Source: FOOTYMAD
One Played And One Won For Motherwell
The Steelmen got off to a good start as they continue to prepare for the Europa League Motherwell secured a 3-1 win over Brechin City at Glebe Park last night in the first pre-season friendly. Manager Craig Brown was impressed by the "bright" display put on by trialists Carlos Gazapo and Chris Shuker as he continued his assessment of the pair. Former Barnsley and Tranmere midfielder Shuker and ex-Rayo Vallecano striker Gazapo both were on from the start in last last night's game. Brown, whose team also play Forfar and Ayr this week, said: "Carlos Gazapo and Chris Shuker, both of whom were bright, were the two trialists in the team and we will have another look at them and make a decision. They have to be better than we have here at the club and games on Thursday and Saturday will help us make up our minds." Brown was pleased with the performance of goalkeeper Darren Randolph, who signed from Charlton last month, as second-half goals from John Sutton, Ross Forbes and Keith Lasley gave Well a comfortable start to their preparations for their Europa League campaign. However, there was a scare for Brown as Jamie Murphy suffered an ankle injury. With Brown's pursuit of former loan signing Lukas Jutkiewicz unlikely to bear fruit at least until after the visit of Icelandic side Breidablik next Thursday, Murphy's fitness is a major concern. Brown, who was also without Chris Humphrey and Tom Hateley because of minor knocks, said: "The one disappointment was the injury to Jamie Murphy, it might be his ankle ligaments. He is one we could do without being injured. We have a couple of young boys who could come in, Bob McHugh and Gary Smith, but they lack experience and we don't want to put pressure on these two. We would rather have an experienced striker to play alongside John Sutton. It could be a loan striker we bring in, we have until 24 hours before the game to bring one late signing in for the first leg. As for Lukas; It's not dead yet, but it won't happen before the European game as they (Everton) are off to Australia but it all depends what David Moyes want to do with him." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
