After reclaiming third spot in the SPL, Motherwell would be disappointed to miss out on a European place this term, according to manager Stuart McCall.

McCall admitted that his players have done such a good job of getting to the ‘best of the rest’ position that any route to the Europa League is their now their sole aim.

The Fir Park boss said: “We are on 41 points and last season before the split we had 42, so we just need to keep accumulating the points.

“Our main aim is to keep our noses in front. I think we’ve got ourselves into a position where, if we didn’t get in to Europe, everybody would be disappointed.

“That could mean third, fourth or through the cup, but everybody is focused on it.”

The Well manager had good news on the injury front for the Steelmen, with long-term absentees Lee Hollis and Steven Saunders progressing well through their rehabilitation.

Goalkeeper Hollis, who has been missing with a hip injury, is back training with the other keepers and could be in contention with a fortnight.

Meanwhile Saunders, who ruptured his Achilles tendon while on international duty with Scotland under-21s, has started running again and McCall is hopeful the defender will pull on the Claret and Amber again this season.

McCall said: “Stevie is down at the training ground working with JP the physio on running and a little bit of ball work and is having a speedy recovery.

“The first assumption was that we wouldn’t see Saunders again this season but the way things are and the way he’s progressing I think he will be back now before the end of the campaign.

“He’s got a good mentality for a young kid, he worked really hard in the gym and now he can get outside in the fresh air and do some running. The next step is more ball work and then he can start joining in with the lads.

“He’s a good kid, a focused kid, and we wish him all the best to get back playing.”

Motherwell travel to St Mirren in the SPL and McCall said that all thoughts Well’s excellent form will be channelled to maintaining the level of performance which saw Morton demolished 6-0 in the Scottish Cup.

He added: “I think it’s irrelevant who you are playing once Saturday 3pm comes, regardless of the opposition you’re just out there to win.

“There’s an edge to the players in training just now and we’ve put together a little run of results.

“We’re all looking forward to going down to St Mirren. We’re two evenly matched sides, they have experience in key areas and good youngsters.

“We’ve had really tight contests with them this season – I’m sure it will be very tight again.”