MOTHERWELL'S hopes of signing former Scotland striker Lee Miller are fading.

As revealed in SportTimes, Miller, who is going out of contract at Carlisle, is one of several strike options being considered by Well boss Stuart McCall if last term's top scorer Michael Higdon leaves Fir Park.

However, it is understood Miller has resumed talks with Carlisle boss Gregg Abbott just before the Cumbrian side report back for pre-season.

Miller is thought to be among the top earners at Brunton Park, and although he has been injured at times during his first two seasons at the League One outfit, he has become a firm favourite with the club's support.

It had been thought the lure of a return to his native Lanarkshire with McCall's Europa League-bound side would tempt Miller back north of the border.

But Well's hopes of snapping up the former Aberdeen and Middlesbrough star look all but gone.

While Championship outfit Blackpool were also keen on the target man at one stage, their interest in the Carlisle skipper is now believed to be dead.

Blues' boss Abbott has never given up on Miller since the end of last season, when the 30-year-old stalled on an initial offer of a one-year deal.

Now the hitman's decision to return to the table today looks like spelling the end of the Steelmen's hopes of landing Miller.

On a more positive note, it is understood Motherwell will continue to monitor the situation concerning former Fir Park star John Sutton amid the troubled financial situation that is going on at Hearts.