Motherwell have been hit with several more major injury blows after captain Paul McGinn, goalkeeper Aston Oxborough and left-back Steve Seddon were all ruled out for significant periods.
McGinn faces surgery and four months out following the recurrence of a thigh injury in his first start for three months, Oxborough expects to be out for three months with a thumb injury, and Seddon has been told he will be out for another two months with his ankle injury.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos faces another two weeks out with a torn calf, Jair Tavares is having investigations into an injury and Liam Gordon and Harry Paton both remain doubts for Saturday’s Scottish Cup fourth-round tie against St Johnstone.
With Lennon Miller still in a protective boot following an ankle fracture, Ross Callachan just returning to training following a long-term absence and Zach Robinson out for the season, Kettlewell faces being without nine players for the Perth trip.
“We’ve obviously encountered a lot of issues since the start of the season,” the Motherwell manager said. “But I would feel that in terms of injuries, that this is possibly the worst stage that we’re at.
“Looking at the board the other day, we were looking at nine pretty serious injuries and nine players that we’re without. That’s hard for us to absorb, of course it is.
“And from that, you’re looking at a lot of significant players, and some players that have been very good for us, some for a long period of time, some since they came to the football club.
Captain Paul McGinn has been ruled out for approximately four months.
Speedy recovery, Paul.
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) January 16, 2025
“So it’s not an excuse. It’s just that in an injury front, it’s a bleak outlook. Me as always, I’m the most positive person in the world, and what we do is focus on the players that are available and that’s what I’ve done since the start of the season.”
Kettlewell signed midfielder Kai Andrews and goalkeeper Archie Mair on loan last week to take his squad number to 28 but with the latest blows, and with the likes of Sam Nicholson and Callum Slattery still getting up to speed after long-term absences, he has been told money will be made available to add options.
“We’ll have to be patient,” he said. “We’re trying our best. We’re working endlessly to try and make sure that we can strengthen the group and help the group out, but I can’t really put a timescale on that. But what I can finish off by saying is that the club have been supportive in that.”
Gameday arrival 🛬
Archie Mair has arrived on loan until the end of the season from Norwich City.
Krisztián Hegyi has been recalled by West Ham United.
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) January 11, 2025
There is need for speed in the goalkeeper department after Krisztian Hegyi was recalled by West Ham on the day Oxborough got injured. Matthew Connelly was recalled from East Kilbride on a temporary basis to sit on the bench against Hibernian on Saturday.
But Kettlewell said: “He’s cup tied this weekend, he’s played for East Kilbride. And we’ve been big in trying to develop Matty as well and I’m desperate for him to continue playing games and not sit on a bench.
“So we’re actively working really, really hard to try and see if we can improve that department.”
