McFadden’s Fir Park return now unlikely as contract talks fail

MOTHERWELL manager Stuart McCall does not expect James McFadden to re-sign at Fir Park following contract talks.

McCall had a promising discussion with free agent McFadden on Friday after being given the green light to make at least one signing.

The Scotland forward, who has been training with his former club all summer, held subsequent talks with chief executive Leeann Dempster, but they failed to secure a deal. McCall said: “I spoke to James on Friday and we had a good football chat. It was open.

“Since then, James has spoken to people who are a lot higher than I am at Motherwell, who deal with the purse strings and I don’t think the outcome was favourable. He was back in training today but I don’t think the money side of it added up.”

McCall added: “In fairness to the board, they were willing to stump up an amount for James but obviously it’s not good enough. I’m not painting this any way that James has been asking for great deals of money. I’m not saying that whatsoever. I wasn’t involved in the talks, I just speak about the football and leave the other side. We have got to remember where James has come from and what offers he has probably got on the table as well.”

McFadden was released by Everton in the summer after failing to hold down a first-team place following his return from a serious knee injury, which he suffered almost two years ago.

McCall said: “The football chat was fine. We both realised the same thing – he needs to get playing. He knows that himself.

“It wouldn’t have been a case of him signing and coming straight into the side and he was well aware of that. He would have had to work hard to get in the side and he was well up for that. I don’t think there will be anything more done, I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

Meanwhile, McCall played down reports he had taken Queen’s Park defender Paul McGinn on trial. The manager said: “He’s recovering from a minor knee operation. I know his agent, who asked if he could come in and recuperate.

“He’s using the gym facilities. He played against us last season and did quite well. We’ll maybe have a little look at him when he gets fit, but we’re just helping him at the moment.”