MOTHERWELL have struggled to catch a break lately in the SPFL Premiership.

But Stephen McManus reckons that international interruptions can finally offer the Fir Park club a window of opportunity to get back on an even keel.

Four defeats from four matches has been the long and short of Well's form since beating St Mirren 1-0 on the opening day of the season, with that Lee Erwin strike standing as their only goal of the campaign so far.

On top of that, Stuart McCall has had to contend with a raft of injuries which have blighted the start of their league assault with eight first-team players missing at some point over the first batch of games.

But while the Motherwell manager turns his attention to facing Germany as part of Gordon Strachan's coaching staff, his club charges will be back at Fir Park, using the international break to rebuild their strength, fitness and perhaps confidence.

And with Well's next game not taking place until September 13 - when a trip to Dingwall beckons - McManus is welcoming the chance for him and his team-mates to recharge batteries.

"The break gives guys time to catch up," said the former Celtic and Scotland centre-half.

"At a club like Motherwell we need our starting XI as fit as possible. That was the key to our success last year, we kept our main guys in the team.

"Hopefully by the time we've had a couple of weeks off and we're going to play Ross County, guys like Simon Ramsden and Stevie Hammell will be back. If that happens you then have the core of your team available again.

"It's the most stretched squad I've been a part of, without a doubt. I've been fortunate to play at some good clubs, but it really is a great bunch of lads here and we'll get through it.

"Boys have come in and done alright and tried to take their chance. But for us to maintain the level of consistency we had last year we need everyone pulling in the one direction."

Saturday's defeat was more frustrating than disappointing for Motherwell given how comfortable they looked at the back before Brian Graham's winner on 86 minutes.

And McManus has already told his team-mates to put the pain of conceding that late goal against Saints out of their heads as they refocus over the next fortnight. The 31-year-old said: "You go through runs like this but it was hard to take losing to St Johnstone in the manner that we did. I don't think we deserved to win it, but I don't think they did either.

"We lost a late goal, which was disappointing to say the least. I said to a few of the lads after the St Johnstone game: 'At times like this in your career the only way you get through bad spells is working hard, and meeting things head on.'

"You won't achieve anything by shying away from anything. You need to still want to get the ball, to make passes, to take your chances. You want to get into the final third as much as you can and get a good delivery.

"You saw that with St Johnstone's goal. I don't think they were a threat, certainly defensively we looked comfortable, but one good ball and a header changed that."