DAVID CLARKSON reckons the old boys' union at Motherwell can provide the platform for a successful season.

The strike star has settled back into his familiar Fir Park surroundings, helped by the fact that a few members of the Well team he played in during his first spell at the club have also landed back where it all began for them.

Captain Keith Lasley, Stevie Hammell, Stephen Pearson and Scott McDonald are all enjoying their return to Lanarkshire as part of Ian Baraclough's squad, and Clarkson hopes the experienced core of the side can help the Steelmen to a better showing in the coming season.

He said: “We laugh and joke that it’s just like 11 or 12 years ago or whatever it is, but it’s been great for me to come back and have boys here that I know.

“It helps you settle in. It’s been brilliant so far, I’ve really enjoyed it and hopefully I can enjoy my time here again.”

When Clarkson burst on to the scene at Fir Park as a raw youngster, he had the benefit of senior pros like his uncle, the late Phil O'Donnell, to help him along as he established himself in Scottish football.

Now a senior pro himself at 29, he is keen to return the favour to today's younger crop of players, like new additions Wes Fletcher and Louis Moult.

“It’s always important for the older guys to help the younger boys out," he said. "And that’s one of the things that the gaffer will be looking for from the likes of myself, Las, Hammy, Pearo and Mick [Stephen McManus].

“Last year they were the core of the team and it was important to keep that together.

“It’s up to everybody to perform, but if the experienced pros make sure they do the business it goes a long way to making sure everyone else plays to their best."

Clarkson is gearing up for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Premiership opener away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle, and he feels that both he and the side are in great shape after a productive pre-season.

He has also been impressed with the other additions made by manager Baraclough, including fellow-forwards McDonald, Fletcher and Moult – despite these signings meaning there will be fierce competition for places up front.

Clarkson, as he always has done during his playing career, places the good of the team above all else.

He added: “It’s been good to be part of pre-season right from the start. It was important for me to get signed up somewhere and be part of it right away, so it’s been good getting to know the new lads and the gaffer as well.

“It’s coming together and we’re all getting to grips with how the gaffer wants to play and how the other boys play.

“It’s a good group and I think the performances we’ve had in pre-season have been good and positive.

“The better players we can get then the better it is for us. We’ve got to try and get as many good players as we can and we’ve managed to do that this year with the players the gaffer has brought in.

“We’re all looking forward to the season starting.”