Motherwell striker warned he needs to prove himself to boss Stuart Kettlewell

Striker Joe Efford has been warned to fight for his Motherwell future, after boss Stuart Kettlewell accused him of ‘inconsistency’.

But Arsenal loan striker Mika Biereth is in contention for Sunday’s Premiership clash at home to Hibs, while Jon Obika and Harry Paton could also make the squad.

Efford, 26, was ruled out for several months with a quad tear in October, but has repeatedly broken down with several problems since then.

The American striker was brought on for Theo Bair in 88 minutes of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Dundee to kick off the Premiership season, and Kettlewell says that was the start of his quest to prove he has a part to play in his set-up.

Kettlewell said: “The most important part is that Joe needs to try and stay fit and show us his qualities.

“It has been a hard time for him, a long-term injury, and from that there have been a lot of stop-start moments.

“There has been a lot of inconsistency, I’m sure Joe will hold his hands up to that as well, in reserve games, games trying to get him up to full fitness in pre-season, and even in training sessions and things like that.

“I’m always a great believer that we can’t just go from zero to full throttle, there has to be a period of time where an individual shows you they can be trusted and they’re offering something on the pitch.

“That they’re showing you quality and showing that they can play in your system, and in a set-up of what you’re trying to do.

“We’ve come to a conclusion of how we’re going to play, and that’s not to say that’s always going to be the same way, but that set-up was based on the players that we had at the club.

“It’s not a case of me then having to change what I do based on a player, or two players, but very much the group of players led