Motherwell's Stephen Frail happy with Callum Slattery's return to training, as No.2 set to take dugout lead against Dundee United

Motherwell assistant manager Stephen Frail has been delighted to see Callum Slattery return to training with no hesitancy in his movement following a long-term knee injury.

However, Frail warned Motherwell fans not to expect Slattery to make an immediate return to the first team.

The midfielder will have to wait to build up his match sharpness before making his comeback after suffering cruciate ligament damage in January.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's William Hill Premiership encounter with Dundee United, Frail said: "It's about managing it. It's been a long-term injury and he's come back and he's looking really good. But he'll still be a wee bit away from being in our thoughts to be involved in any games at the minute.

"But such is the schedule, we can't even really organise a bounce game or a friendly. We'll probably have to do that just maybe amongst ourselves when the games settle down a little bit. But he's still a little bit short for what we need to join in on match day.

"But he's looking sharp. Watching him training the other day, there's no issues psychologically dealing with the injury. I've watched him twist and turn and check and stuff and he's looking good. So it's going to give everybody a real lift."

Meanwhile, Frail stressed there would be no issues getting the message across to the players on Saturday with Stuart Kettlewell confined to the Fir Park stand.

The Motherwell manager has picked up an automatic touchline ban because of an accumulation of yellow cards - he has been booked in three of the past four matches.

Frail said: "Nothing changes in terms of the way we build up between now and Saturday. Obviously, the manager knows the restraints in terms of being in the dressing room before the game.

"So we