Bum note for Hartley after key man is hit by injury
Motherwell’s video star looking at lengthy lay-off
MOTHERWELL fear influential defender Peter Hartley is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after he injured his foot at training.
The Fir Park club face an anxious wait to find out the extent of the problem after the 29-year-old visits medics this week, with it thought to be potential ligament or tendon damage.
Hartley signed permanently for the Steelmen last month after spending a successful six months on loan at the Lanarkshire club from Blackpool.
His signing went viral after the club jokingly copied Manchester United’s video of new boy Alexis Sanchez playing the piano following his move to Old Trafford from Arsenal.
Hartley was a central figure as Stephen Robinson’s side reached the Betfred Cup final in November, before losing 2-0 to Celtic, and the big defender’s loss from the team will be a huge blow to Motherwell.
‘Peter Hartley picked up an injury in training,’ confirmed assistant boss Keith Lasley. ‘It was an innocuous (challenge) on his foot. He’s seeing a specialist this week to see the seriousness of it. But it’s potentially tendon or ligaments.’
Meanwhile, victory tonight over St Johnstone at Fir Park will take Motherwell back into the top six at the expense of Kilmarnock.
And Lasley hopes there is no repeat of the ‘farcical’ last match between the teams when the Steelmen had three men sent off as they lost 4-1 at McDiarmid Park in August.
Keeper Trevor Carson was red-carded for handling outside his area, Carl McHugh received two bookings and Charles Dunne was dismissed for a professional foul, although Dunne’s dismissal was later rescinded.
‘Let’s hope the referee has a quieter time than Craig Thomson had that day in Perth,’ smiled Lasley.
‘It became a bit farcical up there with all the red cards, so hopefully everyone stays on the park and we have a good game of football.
‘But we expect a tough, physical game against a very good St Johnstone side.
‘If we win, it will take us 12 points clear of bottom place and that’s absolutely a consideration.
‘But this is a chance for us to get back into the top six. We want to be one of those teams that is in the fight to finish top six and winning tonight against St Johnstone will go a long way to helping us do that.’
New signing Nadir Ciftci grabbed his first Motherwell goal in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Partick Thistle. And Lasley believes the team are now showing signs of being able to cope with life after losing striking talisman Louis Moult to Preston. ‘Nadir supplied a great finish on Saturday and, hopefully, that can kick him on in terms of goalscoring,’ added Lasley. ‘But he has not played a lot of football and he still has a little bit to go in terms of his fitness. But that will come with playing matches. ‘I know how good a player Nadir is. I chased him about Tannadice myself on a number of occasions without much success when he was at Dundee United and I was playing for Motherwell. ‘Plus Curtis Main has come into the club, too, and he has made a good impact. So the signs are good. We feel there are goals in the team.’ Saints boss Tommy Wright, meanwhile, believes he has unearthed a defensive diamond in young Jason Kerr who can cope with Ciftci and Main. The Perth boss watched Dundee youngster Jack Hendry clinch a bigmoney move to Celtic and Aberdeen prospect Scott McKenna become the subject of bids from Hull City. And the Northern Irishman is convinced that Perth-born centre-back Kerr — who turns 21 today — is also the real deal.
‘Jason has been excellent in the two games since he came into the team,’ said the Saints manager.
‘He now has to stay there but, from what we know of him, he is a player with a very bright future.
‘People have been talking about Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna up at Aberdeen and I think Jason is in that bracket. He can be every bit as good as them.
‘He just has to keep doing what he’s doing and I’ve no doubt clubs will be taking a keen interest in him in future. We have managed his development well. He’s just about to turn 21 but he’s played over 100 senior games already for East Fife and Queen of the South.
‘By going out on loan to play proper football, he’s matured and has come back the player we always thought he would be.
‘He went into the Hearts game at the weekend and he looked excellent. Motherwell will be a different test for him because Curtis Main and Nadir Ciftci have formed a good partnership.
‘But Jason has got the experience he needs to cope with whatever is thrown at him now.’