MOTHERWELL midfield starlet Stuart Carswell has labelled the current pre-season as the most important of his career.

The news that Liverpudlian midfield pivot Steve Jennings won't be signing a new contract with the club has left a vacancy in the Fir Park outfit's central section.

Now Well kid Carswell says it is up to him to show he is good enough to replace Jenno and form a brand new central axis with Well stalwart Keith Lasley.

Carswell said: "It is disappointing for the club that Jenno has decided to knock back the new deal, but that is the way it goes in football. Obviously his partnership with Las has been massive for us over the last two years and he will be missed.

"But I filled in for both last season when they were out suspended or injured and loved every minute of it. What I have to do over the next few weeks is prove that I am good enough to step into the space left behind.

"I am 19 now and made 16 appearances last season and it is up to me to make the most of this opportunity. When you look at boys like Jamie Murphy and Shaun Hutchinson, they both made a starting place their own around my age.

"It is a massive incentive for me and when you look at how the gaffer gives younger players their chance then that is really positive. I have kept myself in decent shape over the summer and hopefully I can kick on.

"When you look at the massive games we will have ahead in the Champions League qualifiers my target has got to be to play a part in them."

Powerhouse defender Simon Ramsden checked in for Well's first day back. The out-of-contract 30-year-old is available from Bradford for free and is likely to jet out with Well to their Algarve training base next week.

Also present was Scotland star James McFadden who is without a club after parting company with Everton. Carswell says Faddy's presence gave the squad a massive lift.

Despite the fact McCall says that his wage levels would prohibit a deal being done to bring the former Well ace back, Carswell has been highly impressed by his class.

He said: "Although we didn't do any ball work yesterday, Faddy's presence was a big lift for all of us. When you look at someone like Faddy, who has been capped almost 50 times by his country, coming in and working his socks off like that then it has got to be an inspiration.

"Hopefully he will be with us for a few days as you are only going to learn from training with someone like Faddy and even more so when the ball comes out."