Stuart Kettlewell cannot afford to lose any more Motherwell players to injury

Stuart Kettlewell admits he is trying to nurse out-of-form Motherwell through their injury crisis and faces another cautious week of preparation before playing Celtic.

The Steelmen remain fifth in the William Hill Premiership following a 2-1 defeat at St Johnstone on Saturday.

They have won once in their last nine games and wilted after holding the lead for 82 minutes through Andy Halliday’s penalty, with Taylor Steven and Bozo Mikulic striking for Saints.

More fitness problems flared up, including Halliday’s withdrawal midway through the second half.

Kettlewell confessed he has been reduced to considering his casualty list in training and during matches in order to minimise further damage.

He said: “I feel like every week we’re dealing with another set of injuries.

“When it comes to the 90 minutes, we’re having to make changes as a result of that.

“That’s never a good place because you’re just being reactive. I even find myself, in the last 20 minutes, trying to save a little bit. Because you feel one or two might still have to come off.

“I’d say that’s a sad indictment. But that’s where it is and that needs to improve so we can sustain a level and not have wholesale changes in-game.

“We’re trying to protect players as much as possible – because I can’t afford to lose any more.

“I’ve 10 senior players injured. I’m not using it as an excuse – in case anybody wants to try cast that up – but you must be careful what you do during the week.

“We’re trying to do enough work to get us to a game of football on a Saturday. It’s a difficult balancing act.”

Goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe and substitutes Dom Thompson and Luke Armstrong debuted in Perth.

Balcombe joined on loan from Brentford after Norwich loanee Archie Mair – himself a rushed replacement signing a fortnight ago – suffered an injury.

Number one Aston Oxborough is out long-term and Krisztian Hegyi returned to West Ham earlier in the month.

Meanwhile, Simo Valakari was thrilled at two St Johnstone players scoring their first goals for the club.

Steven netted the equaliser on only his second substitute outing since a loan stint with Cliftonville.

Croatian centre-half Mikulic rifled home a 88th-minute winner.

Valakari said: “Since Taylor came back, he’s been working so hard. He has a lot of capability, he’s dangerous in the box.

“He showed real calmness to score in a hectic moment.

“I was very pleased for Bozo; it was a great finish. He’s been close to a goal many times so it was good for him.”

Saints reduced the deficit at the bottom from nine points to seven on Kilmarnock.

“The bottom line is we needed these three points if we’re going to make a push,” said Valakari.