Motherwell hopeful of McDonald return

Motherwell are hopeful of having Scott McDonald in their team for the visit of Partick Thistle.

McDonald pulled out of last weekend's 2-1 loss at St Johnstone just before kick-off after feeling tightness in a hamstring.

The Australian had netted twice in a midweek win over Dundee United and manager Mark McGhee admits they missed him in Perth.

"We were hugely disappointed that he missed it because he was brilliant at Dundee and at 1-1 he would probably have been the player that made the difference and got us the 2-1,'' McGhee said.

"He was only training lightly yesterday (Wednesday), jogging. We will step that up but Adam (Stokes), our physio, seems confident he should be alright.

"To play the way we want to play, I think we need Scott McDonald. He holds the ball up, he's a thorn in the flesh, he never gives the opposition back four a minute's rest, and he can score a goal. As he showed the other night, he scored two terrific goals.

"When he's in goalscoring form you certainly want him in the team. He is very important to us and we hope to have him back.''

Motherwell conceded their sixth last-minute goal of 2016 in Perth and McGhee admits it is becoming a concerning habit.

"We've not really worried about that until maybe now,'' he said.

"I'd like to put a flashing red light on top of the goalmouth and at 10 minutes to go switch it on and everybody hear a siren and know that this is emergency time.

"We are going to have to dig in unless we have a comfortable lead. We're going to have to make sure we keep possession up the field, that we don't take risks or make mistakes or concede unnecessary free-kicks.''