MOTHERWELL’s new hitman Wes Fletcher has warned fans he is ready to out-shoot former top gun John Sutton.

The Scouser signed a one-year contract with the Steelmen on Friday that will see him wear the crucial No.9 jersey for the forthcoming campaign.

The previous occupier of that top was Sutton, who was the club’s top goalscorer in the last two seasons with a total of 35 strikes to his name.

His departure for St Johnstone earlier in the month has left a big gap to fill, but former Manchester United and Liverpool trainee Fletcher has told the Well support that they ain’t seen nothin’ yet from a leading marksman.

He said: “I’ll always work hard and I know where the goal is. If I get that service then I certainly know where it is.

“As a striker that’s my job to score goals, goals win games. I’ll happily take a few here and get some victories on the board.

“Some players like that pressure of having to score goals. Obviously I’ll do my best to try and do what John Sutton did and even more.”

Starting his professional career at Burnley, the 24-year-old went on to spend much of his four years at Turf Moor on loan at Grimsby, Stockport County, Accrington Stanley, Crewe Alexandra and Yeovil Town.

However, it wasn’t until he arrived at York City in 2013 that he began to really catch the eye.

During his first season at the Minstermen he was crowned the club’s top goalscorer before a bad injury curtailed his campaign.

It was at Bootham Crescent that Motherwell began to follow Fletcher’s progress, and the fact manager Ian Baraclough was tracking him was just another reason that made him want to come north for his first taste of Scottish football.

“I’m very happy to get this chance to come up here and play in this great league. I’ve just met all the boys and I’m looking forward to it,” he added.

“I’ve only just met all the players but everyone seems welcoming so it’s good.

“It’s always a good fact that a manager is keen to get you. If you are wanted at a club then you know you’ve got a chance to show what you can do.

“I’ve watched Scottish football quite a bit. I’ve come up here on pre-season and I know the tempo of the game is a lot faster, but I think I’ll be ready for it by the time the season comes around.

Baraclough is delighted with the competition that Fletcher will bring, with a move to bring Scott McDonald back to Fir Park still very much alive.

The Motherwell manager told MFC TV: “I’ve seen a fair bit of Wes and know exactly what he is capable of.

“The club has also had him watched on several occasions and feel he is ready to add something different to our squad.

“His game will suit the way we want to play and along with David Clarkson, will add more competition.

“This is just the beginning of the recruitment process though. We’ve still got several more faces to come all across the park and we’ll continue to work hard to do that as quickly as possible.”

Meanwhile, it’s been announced Motherwell will play Preston North End, who has ex-Well wing king Chris Humphrey in their ranks, at Livingston’s Energy Assets Arena on Friday July 24 at 7pm.

Fir Park remains out of action due to delayed works on the playing surface following the Premiership play-off last season.