David Clarkson leaves Motherwell for St Mirren loan spell

Motherwell have allowed striker David Clarkson to join Scottish Championship strugglers St Mirren on loan until the end of the season.

The 30-year-old last summer returned to the club where he began his career, but he has been unable to replicate the prolific scoring form that saw him win two Scotland caps during his first Motherwell stint.

The forward, who has also played for Bristol City, Bristol Rovers and Dundee, has found himself well down Mark McGhee's pecking order with Louis Moult, Scott McDonald, Wes Fletcher and James McFadden all ahead of him.

He will join Alex Rae's side as the eighth-placed Buddies battle to get their play-off hopes back on track.

Clarkson, who started just one game for the Steelmen this term, said: "As much as I love being at Motherwell, I'm at the stage of my career where I need to be playing regular football.

"I spoke to the manager and he understood that and I thank him for allowing me to go to St Mirren.

"I'm ready, I've been fit all season and I'm as fit as I've ever been. I've been playing games, playing for the (under-)20s and I like to keep my match fitness up. I've been training hard and making sure that when my time came, wherever it may be, that I was ready and match fit and hopefully up to speed with everyone else really.

"I'm looking forward to getting started. Obviously the game on Saturday against Alloa, every game is a big game, and the more games we can win the more confidence we can get from that we can hopefully go on a run of games and push up the table and try to get the club back to where it has been."

McGhee said: "David is a player who I have worked with on three occasions and I have huge respect for him both personally and professionally.

"We weren't able to guarantee him a regular start, but wanted to be fair to him.

"We've still working on reshaping the squad and have now cleared some space for some new faces to now arrive."