LIONEL AINSWORTH has issued a deal-me-in plea to Motherwell for a new contract.

The Fir Park flyer has enjoyed a hugely-impressive debut season for the Steelmen during his loan spell from Rotherham United and scored nine goals to help boost third-placed Well's Euro push.

But with his sojourn in Lanarkshire up at the end of the season livewire Lionel is determined to do all he can to book a Europa League qualification spot for Stuart McCall's side and land a new contract into the bargain.

The 26-year-old said: "Basically I am just trying to focus on my football right now and do ­everything I can to help Motherwell finish as high as possible and also nail down a Europa League place.

"For next season European football would be a great thing to add to my CV and help me take my game to the next level.

"If we could make it into Europe then it would hopefully supply me with a great platform to achieve some stability and experience something new in the game.

"But I am really enjoying my football right now and I have no problem staying up north for an extended period.

"So although I haven't spoken to the club yet, hopefully that can happen down the line and things can get sorted."

Next up for the Fir Park outfit is a home game with SPFL Premiership champions Celtic a week tomorrow as the William Hill Scottish Cup semis take place over the next two days.

Motherwell have fallen off the pace in the last week as they attempt to keep Aberdeen in their sights.

The Pittodrie club have pulled three points ahead of Well in second place following their 2-0 win over Hibs on Monday night, The Dons' next tie in Inverness on Friday is a tricky one too.

And Ainsworth is hoping that the two-week league break will help his side's injury list clear ahead of the Hoops' visit to Fir Park.

The Well winger said: "The injuries have piled up a bit for us over the last couple of weeks.

"We had a very young bench at St Mirren last week when we lost 3-2.

"So the extra week off is a big benefit, as with the Celtic game being the first of the post-split sequence it will be vital to start it on the front foot.

"But at Motherwell, regardless of who is playing, we all play for each other and it is just such a great family club.

"Hopefully that team spirit can play a big part in getting us over the line in terms of Europe and as high a finish as possible."