Motherwell striker Louis Moult faces spell out after suffering hamstring injury

MOTHERWELL striker Louis Moult will be out for up to a month after suffering a hamstring injury.

Manager Stephen Robinson revealed Moult will be out for “three to four weeks”, which could mean he has played his last game for the club with Motherwell’s first game of 2018 scheduled for January 20 against Hamilton in the William Hill Scottish Cup.

The striker, who is the top scorer in the Ladbrokes Premiership with eight goals and has 14 overall for the season, is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a move away from Fir Park.

Aberdeen had a bid of about £300,000 rejected in the summer but Robinson has admitted his hand may be forced in the January transfer window.

“I can’t dictate what anybody else does,” said Robinson ahead of Saturday’s trip to face Hearts. “We’ve always said Louis has a few months left on his contract, so if somebody puts in the right offer for this football club obviously we have to look at everything and be fair to the player.

“But it’s not something I can dictate, and for the time being we just look at what we can control.”

The club made the decision to hold on to Moult in the summer and risk losing him for free next year, but Robinson feels that decision has been justified by a fully committed Moult, who rejected a new deal with the Steelmen.

Wrexham are due a sizeable sell-on fee if Moult is sold and transfer income would trigger loan repayments to former owners John Boyle and Les Hutchison, factors which mean Motherwell would look for a significant fee before parting with their key player.

“We were brave with our decision and we have been more than repaid for that with 14 goals and a cup final, and sitting fifth in the league,” Robinson said.

“What happens in January we can’t really control, if people are willing to pay money with a few months left then we have to look at that.

“We have an eye on other things and we have to make sure we are ready for that, and the same if somebody looks at Chris Cadden or Cedric Kipre.”

There is further injury news for Well fans after a triple header against Celtic last week, with defender Peter Hartley and goalkeeper Trevor Carson also suffering from knocks.

Robinson added: “Peter Hartley has a foot problem. The three games just took its toll so he will be missing for this game definitely, and possibly Wednesday (against Partick Thistle).

“Trevor Carson will have a late fitness test so we are hopeful, if not Saturday, he could be ready for Wednesday.”