Mark McGhee pleased with return of experienced duo

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee admits the return of three of his senior players is a major boost ahead of the visit of Hearts.

Steven Hammell and Keith Lasly are back from injury for Saturday's Premiership match and Stephen McManus returns from suspension.

McGhee, whose team slipped to second bottom last weekend, said: "There's three very experienced players that we desperately need back in the selection process.

"The young lads need that experience around them. I want to be putting in young players so I do want that support from the more seasoned lads.

"It's vital not just to their development, but also to getting results. We have more chance of getting results if we have that balance right.''

Hammell has missed much of the last 16 months with groin problems and Motherwell have struggled for much of that time.

"He's champing at the bit,'' McGhee said.

"He brings that calmness, he's one of the guys that will put his foot on it and slow it down and make a pass. He doesn't just return it back to the opposition. We need someone to bring a bit of experience to the possession.''

Motherwell fell to a 3-0 defeat against Ross County last weekend with Kieran Kennedy and Louis Laing in central defence and McGhee said: "We played two very inexperienced centre-halves together and they found it difficult and that's why we need Stephen McManus back.

"But part of what we want to do here is bring the youth through in the team so it's not a case of me running out in January to buy six players so we can finish fourth bottom of the league.

"But having the experienced boys back and a smattering of young boys coming through, we are confident we will make progress.''