STEPHEN ROBINSON is pinning his hopes on Louis Moult returning to the line of duty tomorrow to shoot down Inverness.

The creative juices have been flowing at Fir Park over the last two games in the absence of Well's top goalscorer but Robinson's men have failed to find the target.

A goalless stalemate at home to Hamilton Accies and a 1-0 defeat away at Firhill have meant Motherwell's efforts have gone unrewarded while they slip down into the relegation play-off zone.

But their manager is optimistic the fortunes of his team will turn if the man with 15 goals this term shakes off his ankle knock.

He said: "Let’s hope so. He’s training today, which is great news for us. We’ll see how he reacts to that.

"We’ve obviously left it right to the last minute and we want to give him every opportunity. That’s how important he is to us. And we’re hopeful. Very hopeful.

"Anybody who has seen the last four or five games can see that we’ve created four or five chances in each game.

"If you then have somebody like Louis, someone who can nick a goal, you can win these tight games – even if it is just one-nil.

"The Hamilton game, with Louis in there, maybe we win that one-nil. He played against Rangers and had a goal disallowed.

"Every team, not just Motherwell, misses the main striker who scores goals. Of course you do.

"I think we’re already hard to beat. We have worked to become hard to beat in the six games I’ve been in here. We’re an organised team.

"Ultimately, that keeps you in the game. That stops you from losing.

"But you still need players who will win the game for you – and Louis does that.

"We’ve got other strikers who have come in and contributed, as well. But, when Louis is there, he definitely gives us a big boost."

His return to the Motherwell team would come in the nick of time given the importance of the game for both parties.

While the hosts are desperate to get a win which would propel them seven points clear of their visitors Inverness, Richie Foran knows defeat would see them at least four points from the team in 11th.

“It’s a pressure-cooker situation and let’s not dress it up, this match is a big, game for us," said Robinson.

“Psychologically more than anything. There are still a lot of points to play for afterwards and we won’t stay up or go down on the basis of beating Inverness, but it could move us to eighth position and that could change the feeling around the place completely.

“I don’t think management is something you enjoy generally, it’;s what we do.

“But what we try to do is put a positive slant on things.

“Pressure can increase at times when you are not prepared, but we are prepared and I think everyone can see that.

“We’re well organised and there is pressure on players."

Speaking about how the pressure is also on their opponents from the Highlands, the Motherwell manager added: “I don’t worry about the opposition in terms of what goes on in the background with them.

“But I agree a win would put a cushion between us and them and that’s why it’s a huge match for both teams.

“We just want to make sure we are safe and the take the pressure off ourselves."