IAN BARACLOUGH, the Motherwell manager, says Motherwell are nearing a cut-off point for an answer from Scott McDonald over a potential return to Fir Park.

Following a short-term deal last season, the Australian internationalist has been in talks with the Ladbrokes Premiership team throughout the summer about signing another contract. Baraclough had hoped to have an answer from him by last week, but conversations are still on-going between the two parties.

"We are still in dialogue with him and there's decisions to be made by him, that's where we are on that," said the Motherwell manager after his team lost 3-0 yesterday to Bradford City in Grangemouth. "There are two or three players we want to bring in to crucial parts of the team, and he's one of them.

"I think for both sides [we need a decision to be made]. He wants to be involved in pre-season otherwise it will be difficult for him to catch up in the early part of the season wherever he goes.

"For any club, you want to get your players in and get working with them because we have three pre-season first-team games left before the new campaign. I think we've both said one way or another we want things decided. The thing with Scott he's had a family issue at home to contend with which may have put a delay on things as well."