Motherwell hit by yet another injury blow as Apostolos Stamatelopoulos ruled out for weeks

Motherwell have announced new signing Apostolos Stamatelopoulos will be out for six weeks after picking up an injury in Saturday's defeat to Rangers.

The Australian injured his quad muscle in the 2-1 defeat at Hampden and it could now be October before the striker is back in action for the Steelmen.

It is the latest in a long line of injury blows for Stuart Kettlewell's decimated squad after they went into the Rangers clash missing eight first team players. And the club also provided updates on other injured stars ahead of Sunday's Premier Sports League Cup last 16 tie at home to Kilmarnock.

A club statement read: "We are able to provide an update on a number of our injured players. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos was a first-half substitute against Rangers last weekend. The Australian international has picked up a quad muscle injury and will be missing for six weeks.

"John Koutroumbis sustained a calf strain early in pre-season. Manager Stuart Kettlewell provided an update prior to our first Premier Sports Cup match where he stated Koutroumbis was due to be missing for a couple of months. He remains on track for that return date.

"Ross Callachan will attend a consultation this week with regards to his hamstring injury to provide further information on his setback. Filip Stuparevic is back running this week, however hasn’t taken part in any contact training as yet.

"Long-term absentee Callum Slattery remains on course for his recovery. It’s expected the midfielder could make a return late November/early December."

Meanwhile, winger Sam Nicholson is also absent with a patella injury, while Shane Blaney tore his medial ligament which Kettlewell said is likely to keep him out for a few weeks.

The Steelmen did, at least, add to