Robinson homing in on a replacement as Motherwell say farewell to Cole

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson feels he is close to securing a new striker to replace the departing Devante Cole, who is set to return to Wigan at the end of his loan spell after hitting four goals in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Robinson said: “We are down the road already with trying to get somebody in.

“We don’t have masses of money to spend and buy three or four players. We still have players to come back in the squad – Charles Dunne, David Turnbull, Christian Ilic, Christy Manzinga, who has been on and off injured.

“But we have to try to bring a striker in and we are quite close to doing that.”

Robinson is also working on his goalkeeper situation, with both Mark Gillespie and

Trevor Carson out of contract in the summer.

Livingston and Aberdeen have been linked with precontract moves for Carson, who has been unable to regain his place since returning in the summer from a long spell out with deep vein thrombosis.

Robinson said: “We have offered both contracts and they have been on the table since the summer. I am desperate to get at least one guaranteed to be here for next season. Negotiations are ongoing.

“They both know what i think of them. It’s frustrating for the one who is not playing, And I am not surprised that either would be linked with other clubs because they are top, top goalkeepers.”

Meanwhile, Alex Gogic was surprised to find himself the old man of the Hamilton team at the age of 25 but he is relishing the responsibility of guiding the younger players.

Manager Brian Rice commented on how Gogic, above, was the oldest player in his team at one stage of last weekend’s victory over Hearts. “I read that,” the versatile Cypriot said. “I thought ‘am I old now?’

“It just shows you about the team and the youth academy. They are bringing players through. And if you are good enough, you stay in the team.

“I am one of the oldest players here with Daz (Mackinnon). I have been here three years so you have to help the young boys adapt to the game and the league. When I came here, Dougie (Imrie) and Daz were there to help me out. Now it is my role and my time to help the young boys.”