MOTHERWELL captain Keith Lasley admits he relishes occasions like Friday's televised clash with Hearts more than ever.

Lasley turned 37 last week but he remains at the heart of the Motherwell team he has graced for most of this century.

The midfielder has started seven games in a row since missing the opening Ladbrokes Premiership game through suspension and could lead his team to second place on Friday.

"Another birthday last week, 21 plus VAT I think the club were saying, but I'm enjoying my football more than ever," Lasley said.

"Even a game like Friday night under the floodlights at Fir Park - pitch is looking fantastic, it will be a good atmosphere, on the telly - I probably enjoy and appreciate these occasions more than I ever have, more than I did earlier in my career.

"I'm loving it, still making a contribution. That's the most important thing, there's no point me being here just turning up and making up the numbers.

"I want to still make a contribution and I'm hungry to do that. If I still believe I'm doing that and, more importantly the manager still believes I'm doing that, then great, I will just keep going."

Lasley admits the chance to move second, even if it is only for a few hours, is an added motivation.

"It's still early, we all know that, we've not played everyone yet, but it still is an incentive," he said.

"If you can get above Hearts at any point in the season then you know you have been doing well."