McGhee on lookout for another midfielder

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee hopes their influence on Liam Grimshaw can help the club replace the midfielder.

The 20-year-old won a permanent move to Preston this week after making major improvements to his game during five months on loan at Fir Park from Manchester United.

McGhee said: "I think we would probably benefit from another central midfield player so we're looking at it.

"Transfer windows are difficult for clubs like ourselves. We don't have funds, so we are trying to mix and match and swap and maybe lose one to get one.

"And every other team outside of Celtic are doing the same, they are looking at the same players, talking to the same people and we have all more or less got the same purse strings.

"We are all in the same market so it's a case of being there early, getting lucky or having some appeal.

"One of the things we hope is the job we have done on Grimshaw will encourage clubs in England to think Motherwell is a place where we should be sending players because we are sending back better players. We are prepared to put them in the team and work hard on them.

"We hope the praise Grimmy has heaped on the squad and everyone around the football club will benefit us and clubs will feel they can trust us with their players.''

Grimshaw was missed along with the suspended Keith Lasley as Motherwell fell to a 6-0 defeat by Hearts last weekend but McGhee does not expect that pain to linger when they host Ross County on Saturday.

"You don't dwell on it,'' he said. "We know we are mortal, we know we will win games and lose games. We don't lose a beat.

"We know one or two things that went on last week and hopefully with Las back and another week to get used to the idea of losing Grimshaw, we can be a little bit better.''