MOTHERWELL are hoping to make former Scotland and Celtic captain Stephen McManus their fifth summer signing.

The 30-year-old wants to return to Scotland for family reasons having come to the end of his contract at Middlesbrough. He has been training with the Fir Park club since their return to pre-season.

Well gaffer Stuart McCall says he needs to make up to three more signings before Well begin their campaign on Thursday, August 4, with a Europa League qualifier.

However, the Steelmen face competition for the big defender from Hibs and Dundee United, but McCall is prepared to make McManus one of the club's higher earners to secure his signature.

McCall said: "I would say we need to make three more signings. We got Gunnar Nielsen last week and we probably need another three.

"However, my priority is width. We have lost Henrik Ojamaa and Chris Humphrey and lost Jamie Murphy in January.

"That has robbed us of a lot of width and that is probably the main thing.

"We are also looking to add defensively and we have options."

McManus could also be swayed to sign for his hometown team by the retention of close mate James McFadden.

On the subject of the former Scotland talisman, McCall said he had not given up hope of keeping Faddy at Fir Park.

The Well gaffer said: "James has not come back and said no to us so we are still hopeful.

"But another option for us is a couple of loan deals, either from the English Premiership or Championship.

"We had Fraser Kerr on loan from Birmingham last season and we ended up signing him.

"So these types of deals can be very fruitful and are an option for us."

Well headed to Spain for a week's training on the back of a 3-1 closed door defeat by Morton, at Cappielow, on Saturday.

McCall has no doubt about the value of getting away from it all.

The Motherwell manager said: "The opportunity to get away is of great value as it allows you to step up the intensity of your build-up.

"It was good to get the closed-door game with Morton under our belts.

"But now we will step things up in terms of fitness and tactics.

Going away last summer proved very fruitful so I have no doubt it will lay the foundations again.

"The other aspect is we have brought in three new lads to the club in Paul Lawson and Iain Vigurs and now Gunnar Neilsen and it will allow them to get to know their team-mates.

"But I am happy with the lads' professionalism over the summer."