Mark McGhee thinks Louis Moult can make a difference for Motherwell

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee is looking forward to the return of Louis Moult after his side drew a blank against Dundee.

Moult is yet to feature in the Premiership this season after undergoing groin surgery but the former Wrexham striker, who hit 18 goals in his first season at Fir Park, is due to return after the international break.

Motherwell dominated the first half of their goalless draw against Dundee but their best work was outside the box and they failed to test Scott Bain until after the break.

While the hosts had some half-chances after the interval, the Dark Blues improved and Faissal El Bakhtaoui looked the likeliest player to break the deadlock.

McGhee also had Jacob Blyth missing through injury again and James McFadden was only given 10 minutes to give much-needed support to lone striker Scott McDonald as the assistant manager works his way back from a broken ankle.

McGhee said: ''The clean sheet was good and there was a lot of good play but we're still weak on the bench - we don't have a lot to bring on who can go on and win us the game. We need to get our missing boys back and they will be available again after the break. It gives Steven Hammell time to get fully fit after his calf problem and Louis Moult should be back in full training next week - and that will help. You only need to super-impose Louis Moult at his best on that game and we win the game, there is no doubt in my mind about that. So we are really looking forward to getting Louis back and already Jacob Blyth has started and we've been working with him, but Moulty will make a difference to us.''

Marvin Johnson looked lively in the opening stages but could not make a serious impact on the game after talk of a transfer died down following Oxford's failed bids.

McGhee said: ''I don't particularly expect any movement. There's been a lot of talk about Marvin, obviously, but I'm working on the basis that his situation isn't going to change. He's been a bit disturbed, I think, by what's been going on and he tried to come out of it and rise above it and at times he was trying a little bit too hard. But we have great faith and belief in him and we know what a huge player he's going to be for us again this season. He's a terrific talent and I'm amazed but delighted that no-one has come in for him.''

Dundee kept their first Premiership clean sheet in 10 games, aided in no small part by debutant Kevin Gomis, who impressed at centre-back following his move from Nice.

And manager Paul Hartley was encouraged by their second-half display.

''Overall the team were great because it's not an easy place to come,'' he said. ''A point and a clean sheet away from home, we have to build on that. I thought we did enough to win it, especially the second half. We were on the front foot and had some really good situations where we should have done better in the final third, but El Bakhtaoui was a threat and (Mark) O'Hara getting forward. So if we can just do better in the final third and take the chances, I think we'll be fine.''

Hartley is still waiting on an answer from Tom Hateley after offering the former Motherwell player a contract, but faces opposition from Hibernian, Partick Thistle as well as clubs in England. We want to hear back before the window on Wednesday,'' he said. ''We'll be bringing a couple of players in.''