Steven Hammell says his walking wounded at Motherwell will be given every chance to prove their fitness ahead of the visit to St Johnstone tomorrow.
Hammell says some of the injured will be out longer term, but others might be able to travel to Perth.
Following Wednesday’s 2-1 Premiership defeat against Celtic, Bevis Mugabi, Stuart McKinstry and Kevin van Veen were added to Paul McGinn from Sunday’s 3-2 loss at Hearts, and that’s a list that was already extensive.
‘Being down to the bare bones’ is almost a mantra from Hammell these days, but he says that’s where they are.
However, he says they will focus on that during the break after they’ve looked at the trek to McDiarmid Park.
“There will be a couple that are going to be out for a longer period of time, and there are a few that we’ll need to make a decision on today and maybe even tomorrow,” said the Fir Park gaffer.
“We’ve had to monitor a lot of the players’ work-load as well, with the amount of games and sessions.
“We don’t have that group of players sitting in the wings, waiting, for us to come and use them and bring them into the fold.
“Every single senior player that we have at the club has been on the pitch.
“At the Celtic game maybe apart from Barry Maguire, every senior players that we have at our disposal was on the pitch.
“That’s where we’re at with that, and it’s important that we give these players as much chance as we can to be ready, because we’re going to need them.”
Having a month off for the World Cup is going to make a huge difference to Hammell and Motherwell as he gives players more time to get back fit.
“The break is going to be good for us from that point of view,” he admitted. “It’s a chance for us to reassess, give the players that need it that little bit extra, and rest.
“That gives us the best chance. We’re not looking at the break yet, we’re fully approaching this game with everything we’ve got.
“After the break we’ll be stronger for it.
“The type of squad we’ve got, the environment and the culture is strong, and they’re willing to push through it for me, for each other, and that’s pleasing.
“It has been a busy schedule for a lot of the players, and we’ll individualise everyone after that, see what they need, how much rest they need, and we’ll be better for it at the back end of it.”
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