Manager in spotlight: Stuart Kettlewell

As chief executive Brian Caldwell pointed out when revealing Motherwell had rejected a couple of offers for teenage talisman Lennon Miller, there is hardly a crisis brewing at Fir Park considering they sit fifth in the Premiership - nine points better off than the same stage last season.

However, with just one victory in eight outings, it has still not prevented some grumblings of discontent among the support directed at manager Stuart Kettlewell.

Particularly after last weekend's Scottish Cup exit away to a St Johnstone side who had gone nine games without a win - five at home - and slipped nine points adrift at the bottom.

Well get an immediate chance to gain revenge as they return to McDiarmid Park on league duty.

As Caldwell also pointed out, injuries have hit Kettlewell particularly hard, with 18-year-old Miller a key absentee.

Well have therefore bolstered their squad this week by adding Brentford goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe, who spent the first half of the season on loan to St Mirren, and striker Luke Armstrong from Carlisle United.

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has been busy adding to his squad too, although it remains to be seen whether the latest arrival, former Halmstads midfielder Jonathan Svedberg, is given clearance in time to play.

Whoever plays, that cup win will have given the hosts belief they can extend Well's five-game run without an away win and reverse the two 2-1 league defeats by the visitors this season.

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