Livingston boss admits defender dilemma ahead of clash against 'favourites' Motherwell

Livingston boss David Martindale confessed he may still be without skipper Mickey Devlin for Saturday's clash with Motherwell, but says the defender is pain free for the first time following an ankle injury sustained three weeks ago against Ross County.

He said: "Mick’s now pain free so I’ve got a really big decision to make for this weekend. Do I throw him in or give him another two weeks and wait until the Kilmarnock game?

“Michael Nottingham and Cristian Montano are both in a good place as well in their returns from injury. Of the three, I think Mick’s the one who could play but I’m still making my mind up on that one.

“But the three of them should all be good to be in the squad for the Kilmarnock game with that Saturday off next week.”

The gaffer also conceded that the visitors are 'favourites' for the clash but insists his side can cause an upset and pick up their first home league win of the campaign at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

The Lions head into Saturday’s clash sitting in 10th place but having only suffered defeat to Rangers and Celtic this term.

Stuart Kettlewell’s Steelmen are coming off back-to-back defeats against the Glasgow duo but have earned plenty of plaudits – including from Martindale – for their start to the campaign, despite only being three points better off than the Lions.

Martindale said: “We’ve only been beaten by the Old Firm this year and if somebody told me that would be the case, coming off the form at the back end of last season and with the opening fixtures that we’ve had, I’d have bitten your hand off for that.

“The players deserve credit for the start of the season. Yeah, we want to win games but if you can’t win them, make sure you don’t lose them and we’ve been able to do that outside