Motherwell have received a significant injury boost with three key players nearing a return ahead of Saturday's trip to face Dundee United. Manager Alfred Johansson confirmed that club captain Paul McGinn, striker Callum Hendry and midfielder Oscar Priestman could all be available for selection if their final assessments go well.
The potential returns come at a key time for a side sitting ninth in the league table with 12 points from 12 games. Their recent form of one win, one draw and three losses was halted by a 1-0 victory over St Mirren last weekend, ending a seven-game winless streak in the league. Lukas Fadinger’s 82nd-minute penalty secured the vital three points at Fir Park.
McGinn and Hendry have yet to feature this season following summer knee surgeries, while Priestman has been sidelined with a calf injury since August. Johansson stressed that the experience and quality of the trio would be a major asset. He pointed out that Priestman, in particular, had been an important figure during the team's six-match unbeaten start to the campaign before his injury.
The manager also reflected on the team's mentality after a frustrating 2-2 draw with St Johnstone, where they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser. Johansson said there had been strong, honest discussions in the dressing room afterwards, which he viewed as a positive sign of a group willing to take responsibility and express their emotions. He added that the entire squad shares the frustration of recent results and is focused on learning to close out games more effectively, having dropped 10 points from winning positions this season.
Young striker Seb Palmer-Houlden, who joined from Gillingham in the summer, said he feels trusted by the manager and is eager to contribute as many minutes as possible. His development is part of a broader squad refresh, which also includes summer signing Jardell Kanga. The forward came off the bench to score a late leveller in the earlier meeting with St Mirren and put in a strong performance as a substitute against St Johnstone.
With 14 goals scored and 20 conceded this season, tightening up at the back while reigniting the attack will be key. The return of a proven finisher like Hendry and the defensive solidity of McGinn could provide the necessary spark. Motherwell's next challenge is a tough away fixture against fifth-placed Dundee United this Saturday. The teams last met in September, with Dundee securing a 2-1 win.
More detail at The Scotsman Football
