Scott McDonald hopes for new faces at Motherwell

Motherwell striker Scott McDonald believes some new signings are crucial following a number of exits.

Four players have departed Fir Park this week - goalkeeper Dan Twardzik, midfielder Jake Taylor plus strikers Theo Robinson and David Clarkson - while Liam Grimshaw left earlier in the window and young players David Ferguson and Dylan Mackin joined Craig Moore in going out on loan.

Only Grimshaw was a regular and Motherwell had an oversized squad but McDonald feels a new signing would be a psychological boost.

McDonald said: "We are hoping a few will come in and replace them. That's key and hopefully that will happen before the window shuts and give everyone a lift that teams get when new players come in.

"That's massive. You always see a lift in players when new players come in because obviously players that are brought in are brought in to play.

"So the players will feel the threat of that and want to impress the manager even more so."

McDonald has formed a solid partnership with Louis Moult after an initial period of rotation when Mark McGhee took charge in October, but the Australian would welcome a fresh challenge.

"We've had a few (strikers) this season, it's been top-heavy at times," the 32-year-old said.

"We had five or six at one stage or another. But competition is always nice. None of us will shy away from it, certainly not myself.

"If you go, like we have, a couple of games without a goal, there's always going to be that threat of someone coming in to take your place. The more players that are performing, the better for the club."

James McFadden is another player who could soon be heading out the door, with his contract due to expire after Saturday's Premiership encounter at Dundee, but McDonald would welcome a longer stay from his fellow forward.

"Faddy has a wealth of experience and talent," McDonald said.

"He is back to full fitness and you can see the fire in his belly is back. He is hungry to play.

"Someone with James' talents can really carve things open when he comes on for us. You always feel he is going to get a chance or create one.

"I'd love to have him here for a longer spell. He sees that America could be a fantastic experience for himself and his family so if that does come off for him then we wish him all the best, but if not then I would certainly love to see him here rather than somewhere else."

Motherwell are looking to get back on track at Dens Park following successive defeats to Hearts and Ross County.

"Dundee are the type of team that we can look to, they have had a couple of bad results this year but they always seem to pick themselves up and go again," the former Celtic striker said.

"People say they are on a bad run and then they get a good result and go again. We will be looking to emulate that. We need to get back on the winning trail."