Craig Brown needs firepower to keep Motherwell in Europe

Published on Wednesday 28 July 2010 20:08

MOTHERWELL manager Craig Brown still only has the funds for a striker despite the club's progression to the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

Nonetheless, he feels a good result in Norway today could pave the way for much-needed reinforcements.

Brown has watched a total of eight outfield first-team players leave since he and Archie Knox took charge at the turn of the year. Jim O'Brien, Giles Coke and Lukas Jutkiewicz were the key departures this summer, while Paul Slane, Steven McGarry, Darren Smith, Michael McGlinchey and Yassin Moutaouakil had all departed beforehand. However, Brown is yet to add a first-team player to his outfield squad ahead of the first leg against Aalesunds.

"It's still one striker," he said. "One round of Europe has helped - it has helped us get into the next round, which could release some funds."

Motherwell recently went public over a debt owed by Cardiff for the sale of Paul Quinn, believed to run into six figures, but Brown does not expect to see any of that cash. "I don't think that will be added to my player budget," he said.

Standing in the way of extra funds are a side sitting fourth in Norway's top flight after 18 matches. They also feature giant striker Tor Hogne Aaroy.

Brown said: "They are a very good team. Athletic, fit, organised. They have a well-known striker who is 6ft 8in tall, who created the goal on Saturday by outjumping the goalkeeper.

"I have absolute faith in Stephen Craigan and Mark Reynolds to know when to jump and challenge or when to let him have a header and pick up the headed ball. I'm genuinely not worried. If Peter Crouch was out there I wouldn't be worried either."