Fletcher aiming for the top

New Motherwell frontman Wes Fletcher started his career playing in the same youth side as England striker Danny Welbeck.

Now he hopes his Fir Park move can put him back on a path to the top.

The 24-year-old has penned a one-year deal with Ian Baraclough's Steelmen after leaving English League Two outfit York City.

But the former Manchester United and Liverpool youth-team graduate has not given up hope of one day lining up against the players he knew from his teenage years in the Barclays Premiership.

Asked if Motherwell were giving him a chance to kick-start his career, Fletcher - who hit 20 goals in two seasons with the Minstermen - said: "Yeah, this is a big step for me. It's by far the best move I've had. I'm looking to improve myself and score as many goals as I can.

"I watched the second leg of the play-off final with Rangers and I think I'm capable of fitting in here.

"When I was at Manchester United when I was a lot younger there were guys like Danny Welbeck coming through.

"He is at that top level already and is doing very well for himself. I'd obviously like to be up there too.''

Fletcher is Baraclough's third summer signing as he looks to rejuvenate a squad who came dangerously close to relegation last year.

Celtic youngster Joe Chalmers has arrived, while David Clarkson has returned to the club where he started he career after six years away at Bristol City, Bristol Rovers and Dundee.

The 29-year-old was named the Scottish Premiership player of the month for November after netting in each of his first eight games for the Dark Blues last season.

But he struck just one more before being released at the end of the campaign.

Now the two-cap former Scotland forward hopes he can enjoy a more steady run of goals.

"If you score nine goals over the course of a season people will say it's not a bad season for you,'' he said.

"But the fact I scored eight in eight and then never scored again for a few months led people to say I'd tailed off.

"However, I thought I had a good season last year. I started well but come Christmas time, I don't think we won a game, so as a team we weren't performing and that affects everyone. It affected me.

"But this year hopefully I can start well. If I do that I'll be delighted and hopefully I'll then carry it on throughout the rest of the season. I'm just looking for a bit of consistency.''

Motherwell are confident that they will lure keeper George Long and defender Louis Laing back for another year following last term's six-month stints at Fir Park.

Striker Scott McDonald could also re-sign and Clarkson would be happy to have the Australian as his striker partner.

"Of course I'd be glad to see him back,'' he said. "The better players we can get here the better it will be for everybody.''