KEITH LASLEY has warned Motherwell that they must capitalise on their trip to Hibs this afternoon, and close the gap on Aberdeen in second place to just one point.

The Fir Park men head east looking to secure a hat-trick of victories over the Hibees and make the most of Aberdeen's league inactivity due to their Scottish Cup quarter-final meeting with Dumbarton.

It is also the first occasion Las will come up against former gaffer Terry Butcher in his new role as Hibernian manager.

While Hibs' hopes of pushing into the SPFL Premiership top six were dealt a big blow by their recent heavy home defeat at the hands of Dundee United, Las still knows that his side must be at their best at Easter Road.

The Motherwell captain said: "We know that this is a great opportunity for us to put pressure on Aberdeen but at the same time we are under no illusions as to how tough it will be at Hibs this afternoon.

"Not only are they looking for their first win over us this season but it is also their first match against us with Terry Butcher in charge.

"Obviously I know him well from having played under him at Motherwell in my first spell at Fir Park before I went south to Plymouth, while clearly he did a great job at Inverness.

"But he always hated to lose to us as Inverness manager and now he is at Hibs that will be the case there.

"I guess it is one of those things that no manager likes to lose to his former club and the one thing you can guarantee is that Hibs will be well organised and totally committed this afternoon."

While Lasley is candid enough to admit that Aberdeen are clear favourites to secure second place, he is hoping that a four goal hammering of hapless Hearts last weekend has set up a possible double over the capital clubs on consecutive weekends.

The Steelmen midfield general said: "Victory over Hearts has provided a great springboard into this trip to Hibs.

"But although we have won both of our first two games with Hibernian there has only been a single goal in it on both occasions. In particular in the first game at Easter Road this season there was nothing in it until Henri Anier nicked a great goal for us that proved to be the winner.

"I think it could be another tight one this afternoon."

With Motherwell maverick James McFadden back in fine form and pressing his claims for a return to the Scotland squad, Las believes Well have a potential match winner in their ranks.

He said: "Faddy had a great game against Hearts and he is the type that thrives on confidence and hopefully he can go on the type of run he did at a similar stage last season."