Jon Obika may only have been at Motherwell for a few hours prior to their game against St Johnstone on Wednesday night.

However, there was no way a late night was going to get in the way of the 32-year-old making an appearance in the game.

The striker has suffered from a distinct lack of game time so far this season. He barely featured for Morecambe in League Two, making only eight appearances in all competitions.

The former St Mirren man has been free from injury, he just needed a change to get his career going again.

He’s walked into a struggling side in the shape of the Steelmen. They went down with a whimper against the Saints in midweek, losing 2-0. Steven Hammell’s side have it all to do if they’re to steer clear of relegation trouble.

Obika is confident he can help turn their fortunes around. Fresh from his second half substitute showing, he said: “It’s been very hectic. The deal was done really late on deadline day. I was at Morecambe’s stadium at about 11pm when Motherwell were sending through the paperwork to sign.

“It was a race against the clock. I had to travel up here late at night. I got here around 3am to do some pictures. I drove up. It took me about two-and-a-half hours.

“I was already ready to play, of course. I haven’t had any game time at Morecambe, so my match fitness isn’t at its top level, but I always try to keep myself very fit.

“From my experience, I’ve been at clubs where it can be quite tough at times. It just takes moments in games.

READ MORE: Motherwell 0 St Johnstone 2: 3 things we learned as Saints steer clear of danger

“We could go play Aberdeen, win 1-0 and it sparks a reaction from everybody. That’s what we’re looking for. I’m excited to gel with the boys in training and get that feel for it.

“I definitely relish a big game. Again, when I was at St Mirren we’ve been in that sort of period where things aren’t going too well. Like you said, it just takes a spark and then everybody reacts. I know the boys will be ready for that. We’ve had some words.”

Meanwhile, St Johnstone goalscorer Melker Hallberg has been playing in a more advanced role since his recovery from injury.

Filling in as a ‘false nine’, the former Hibs man seemed to suit his position very well in Callum Davidson’s team.

He neatly tucked away a low shot past Liam Kelly in the early stages of the second half on Wednesday night after being played through by a wonderful Stevie May pass.

The Swede could hardly believe his luck – a free shot at goal. It was a tidy finish. Now, he and the rest of the Saints team are determined to look up the table, rather than behind them.

But they won’t be taking anything for granted. He said: “We've been struggling a little bit lately, yes. The last few games we've been playing with a desire and energy. We brought that with us on Wednesday, so yeah it's a relief but it was also a great performance. 

"We know what we can do within the squad. You've got to have belief going out there. You've got to bring that out to the pitch and I feel we did that. That's what you've got to do every game.

"I played almost as a forward when I signed a year ago. Maybe not as a number ten but further up the field. I scored a few goals so I know what to do. It's just a case of getting back to it again. I want to keep scoring goals for the team.

"I don't know how I got the ball in there, to be honest. It was a great pass from Mayzo but before that there was a tackle. Everything moved so fast and I managed to slot it in the corner.

"We had a few injuries at the start of the season. Cammy MacPherson is coming back into the fold now and is doing really good, Daniel Phillips as well. I play where the gaffer puts me and I try to do my best.

"That's true, we're not far away from top six. But we're just coming out of a struggling period. We're just taking it game by game.”