- EXCLUSIVE with Graeme Bailey
Motherwell have been on the search for a new goalkeeper and listed a 16-year-old on the bench on Saturday.
Stuart Kettlewell was recently struck by the news that number one for most of this season Aston Oxborough is out for up three months with a dislocated thumb.
Second choice Krisztian Hegyi was recalled from his loan by West Ham as he was not getting any minutes and that has left the Steelmen short.
They brought in Archie Mair on loan from Norwich and he made his debut against Hibs and kept his place for the cup game against St Johnstone.
Young shotstopper Matty Connelly is on loan at East Kilbride and was cup tied for Saturday and that left Kettlewell scrambling around to get a back-up in on time.
He was unable ended up having 16-year-old Jack McConnell on the bench.
But he has now landed another goalie and it is one with Premiership experience.
- READ MORE: Motherwell reject Lennon Miller bid as interested clubs sent strong message on transfer fee
Motherwell land Ellery Balcombe deal
Not the Old Firm understands Motherwell have now struck a deal with Brentford to being Ellery Balcombe back to Scotland.
The 25-year-old spent the first part of the season on loan at St Mirren and impressed during his 26 appearances.
But the Buddies sent him back to the Premier League side after learning their previous loanee Zach Hemming was available again and brining him in from Middlesbrough again.
Not the Old Firm understands the Bees were less than happy with that but have now reached an agreement with Well for him to back to the Premiership for another stint.
When signing Balcombe at the start of this season, St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson said: “Ellery is someone I’ve really liked.
“I’ve watched Ellery for a while. His distribution is very good, he’s commanding in his box and I believe he’s someone that will enhance our already good record of goalkeepers.
“We were keen to keep Zach but we spoke to Middlesborough and he’s their player so we have to respect that. He’ll go back for pre-season and fight for a number two jersey there, but we already knew that would come.
“Ellery was somebody that we had been speaking to and keeping close watch on. He was our first choice to join and we’re delighted to have that over the line. It gives us a real base and our squad is taking shape nicely now.”
What Stuart Kettlewell said about Motherwell goalkeeping situation
Kettlewell said last week: “It’s not perfect. Losing Krisztian last week, we’re really disappointed in how that came about, and the feedback that we’ve had from Aston.
“I’m delighted to get Archie in. I’m delighted with his mentality as well, because even at that point we weren’t 100 per cent sure how long Aston would be out for, or even whether he would have been out last weekend.
“Archie jumped in with both feet, he was desperate to get up here, to put himself in this environment and get an opportunity to play at this level.
“In terms of his goalkeeping, I said after the game that he didn’t make a single save in the game against Hibs, and we lost three goals.
“He’s going to have days where he will have to make stops and be more active in the game, but I’ve been delighted with him so far.
“It becomes pretty evident that we need to try and get another in. Matty Connelly sat on the bench for us, he’s cup-tied this weekend, he’s played for East Kilbride.
“We’ve been big in trying to develop Matty as well; I’m desperate for him to continue playing games and not sit on a bench.
“So we’re actively trying really hard to try and improve that department.”