Kenny Black refuses to rule out signing McFadden

MOTHERWELL assistant manager Kenny Black has refused to rule out an offer for James McFadden but revealed the forward’s recent return to the Fir Park fold was similar to his early-season training stint.

McFadden is training with Motherwell after a brief spell at Sunderland ended and a move to Nottingham Forest fell through when he travelled to the City Ground on the day Alex McLeish completed his short reign as manager there. McFadden, who hit 32 goals for Motherwell as a teenager, has already been back at the club for two weeks and a move looks unlikely after contract talks with Fir Park chief executive Leeann Dempster failed to come to fruition before he signed for Sunderland.

Black, speaking ahead of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Inverness, said: “James has come in very similar to what he did a few months back. He came in looking for training facilities. We are more than willing to accommodate him. James came in, got himself fit and got himself a move to Sunderland.

“He is now back up and it’s really much of the same. He is keeping himself ticking over, a local lad, and we’re happy to have him on board. That’s as far as it goes. Nothing has changed from the last time he was here.”

McFadden, 29, has only played 11 games, most of them off the bench, during spells at Everton and Sunderland since coming back from a cruciate ligament injury suffered in September 2010. But Motherwell midfielder Nicky Law believes he could help fire the club into Europe if he were to sign on.

Law said: “I don’t know what he’s thinking or the club is thinking but we would love him to join. He’s a top, top player, you can see that in training. It would be a huge boost if we could get him. You could look towards someone like that to pick you up extra points as the season goes on.”

Motherwell will go second without McFadden if they beat Inverness today for a third time this season.

Motherwell’s 5-1 victory at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium in November was the first time their hosts had lost since a 4-1 defeat at Fir Park, and their only defeat in 21 games. But, although the visitors are without a win in five, Law is not expecting an easy game tomorrow. Law said: “They have been brilliant. We think we have done well this season and they are a point ahead of us on probably one of the lowest budgets in the league.”

Inverness midfielder Owain Tudur Jones admits victory over Motherwell would be sweet following their two painful defeats by Motherwell. Tudur Jones said: “It would be nice to get the points against them, that’s for sure. They are probably looking at the table thinking ‘how are Inverness above us’ after the way they have pumped us twice.

“It’s a good game for us, it’s a game we feel we have to be right at it. Previously against Motherwell we have conceded sloppy goals early in the game and conceded a second one soon after. We have to make sure we are ready to go.”