MOTHERWELL will begin their European campaign next week with a squad which includes just 12 recognised first-team outfield players.
The Fir Park club, who hope to be in a position to name their new manager before the first leg of the Europa League first qualifying round tie against Welsh side Llanelli next Thursday night, had to formally lodge their 24-man squad with Uefa earlier
this week.
Having lost six of the players who were first-team regulars under Mark McGhee last season, Motherwell were left with no option but to supplement the European squad with 10 members of their under-19 team.
Goalkeeper Graeme Smith, defenders Brian McLean and Bob Malcolm, midfielders Stephen Hughes and Maros Klimpl and striker Cillian Sheridan are all either out of contract or have left the club following the expiry of loan spells. As it stands, the side which will face Llanelli at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie all but picks itself. Goalkeeper Michael Fraser, who has joined the club on a free transfer from Inverness Caledonian Thistle, is certain to make his debut in the match.
With last season's first choice Smith out of contract along with his young deputy Artur Krysiak, goalkeeping coach Colin Meldrum, who has not played a first team match for over two years, has been listed as Fraser's back up along with untested 19-year-old Polish goalkeeper Sebastian Kosiorowski. Club captain Stephen Craigan, who has been overseeing Motherwell's return to training this week while chairman John Boyle continues his search for McGhee's successor as manager, is one of just four first-team defenders who have been retained, along with Paul Quinn, Steven Hammell and Mark Reynolds.
The midfield will be chosen from Keith Lasley, Jamie Murphy, Marc Fitzpatrick, Jim O'Brien and Steven McGarry, while David Clarkson, John Sutton and Darren Smith provide the striking options. It clearly leaves Motherwell vulnerable to injuries which would force them to play one or more of their untried teenagers against Llanelli. Under Uefa regulations, Motherwell are entitled to add one player to the squad for the first qualifying round tie as long as he is registered by midnight before the first leg. There are subsequent deadlines which would allow the squad to be strengthened for the following rounds if Motherwell progress, but it is evident the new manager will start with meagre resources.
Boyle has refused to be rushed into an appointment, however, and has clearly been thorough in identifying potential candidates and embarking on an exhaustive interview process. While it remains possible an untrailed name could emerge as Boyle's choice, it seems likely to be filled by one of those who have already been linked with the post.
Lawrie Sanchez, the former Northern Ireland manager, is understood to have been interviewed twice by Boyle. and would be an intriguing selection as he seeks to revive his reputation. Former Scotland captain Gary McAllister, raised in nearby Newarthill and who began his illustrious playing career with Motherwell, would represent an emotive and popular choice.
Luc Nijholt, a member of Motherwell's 1991 Scottish Cup winning side, is also in the frame for a return to the club.
Steve Staunton, the former Republic of Ireland manager, has also been interviewed, while highly regarded ex-Stockport County manager Jim Gannon and former Sunderland manager Malcolm Crosby, dismissed as Middlesbrough assistant-manager last week, have both emerged more recently as candidates.
• Llanelli have recruited Cardiff City manager Dave Jones to help them cause an upset against Motherwell. Jones signed Ross McCormack from Motherwell last summer and has been on several scouting missions to Scotland, so Llanelli manager Andy Legg has used his City counterpart in a bid to plot the Fir Park side's downfall. "
Dave has been very helpful," said Legg. "He watched Motherwell five times last season and has a lot of information on them."
The full article contains 646 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
