Motherwell's injuries are clearing up, but boss says stars will have to fight for places

Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell says their injury situation is clearing up – but warns returning players will need to work hard to get back in his squad.

Australian right-back John Koutroumbis and fellow defender Shane Blaney are back in full-contact training, and Kettlewell provided updates on long-term injured stars Callum Slattery, Ross Callachan and Harry Paton.

Koutroumbis was crocked in pre-season and hasn’t yet featured, while Blaney and Callachan last played in the 0-0 draw at home to Ross County in the first Premiership game of the season on August 3.

Winger Harry Paton hasn’t been in the team since the 3-1 Premier Sports Cup group stages win over Clyde on July 20, while Slattery was injured in training back in January, ruling him out for the rest of last season.

All of those players are on their way back, and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos made his come-back in the 2-1 Premier Sports Cup quarter-final win over Dundee United on Friday.

But striker Jack Vale has a calf injury that will rule him out for up to 12 weeks.

Kettlewell said: “Johnny Koutroumbis is back into full-contact training, Shane Blaney comes into full-contact training today, and Apostolos is another week into full-contact training, so those three, along with the long-termers are all making progress.

“The big blow to us last week was Jack Vale, who was really getting up to speed, and somebody that we know all about.

“As always, some that you get, you get taken away on the other hand, slightly.

“But we remain positive and we’re happy to see those three guys, in particular, back in full training.

“The likes of Sam Nicholson are making good progress, but there’s a timeline to it.

“Callum Slattery we spoke about that being nine months, but we’re making