Return against Rangers has Motherwell star Bevis Mugabi striving to be a Fir Park regular again as he expects intense week during break

Motherwell defender Bevis Mugabi admits he faces an intense week during the international break as he aims to get himself up to full speed again after an injury lay-off.

The 27-year-old hasn't been selected for the latest Uganda squad for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this week after four months on the sidelines.

But he made his Motherwell comeback earlier this month with a late one minute cameo against Hearts and last Saturday managed the final 37 minutes of the Steelmen's 4-2 defeat to Rangers, in which he scored to make it 2-2 just six minutes after coming on. He also branded the VAR decision to allow Rangers' third goal in the game to stand 'suspect'.

It has been a tough time for the centre-back as his comeback from a knee injury suffered against Celtic in November has coincided with the departure of boss Steven Hammell, trying to impress new gaffer Stuart Kettlewell and a surge in form and defensive displays from the Steelmen.

Calum Butcher, Dan Casey and Paul McGinn have made the back-three slots Kettlewell favours their own, but McGinn struggling with illness on Saturday paved the way for Mugabi to get vital minutes under his belt.

And he says this week will be far from a 'break' as he aims to keep his place in the side for the trip to Hibs on April 1.

Mugabi, whose side will play a friendly behind closed doors against St Patrick's Athletic today, said: "It's been a long time coming since the injury so I'm just trying to get as many minutes as possible.

"I know the team is doing well at the moment so I've had to bide my time to get as many chances as possible.

"There is good competition in the defence, especially as there are a lot of players not playing at the moment who could easily slot in and play.

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