Motherwell loan out Filip Stuparevic to Morton as Marvin Kaleta pushes for first start

Motherwell summer signing Filip Stuparevic has joined Morton on loan for the rest of the season.

The Serbian forward scored an impressive goal on his third appearance in the League Cup group stage but was taken off at half-time in his first start, a goalless draw against Partick Thistle.

Manager Stuart Kettlewell expressed his frustration at the lack of pressing, movement and energy at the top of the pitch after the game.

Former Watford player Stuparevic, who joined Motherwell from Slovenian side Domzale, subsequently suffered a hamstring injury in training and was unable to force his way back into the team.

Morton manager Dougie Imrie told his club’s website: “Filip is an extremely talented player that will get the fans off their seat. He is just 24 years old but joins with a wealth of experience and he will be real asset to the team.”

Another summer signing, Marvin Kaleta, could be in line for his first start for Motherwell when they host St Mirren on Saturday in the William Hill Premiership.

The on-loan Wolves right-back replaced the injured Stephen O’Donnell early in the second half of Motherwell’s Premier Sports Cup win over Dundee United and impressed as the Steelmen set up a Hampden trip.

With O’Donnell still struggling with a shoulder problem, the 20-year-old could start against the Buddies.

Kettlewell said: “I was particularly pleased for Marvin, he has waited patiently. It was a bit of work to get him up to full speed, he is obviously a young lad basically coming out of academy football. We knew the stresses and the strains of senior football can take a bit of time to get up to speed with.

“It’s not as if we have never seen his quality, we have undoubtedly. We had to get him into a position where we get him a bit more robust but I think everyone can see the quality he brings both offensively and defensively.

“I was really pleased with the impact he had on the game, I felt he was involved in an awful lot down that right-hand side. I thought he looked really creative and gave us a real drive and thrust down that side because it’s big shoes to fill when he comes on, Stephen O’Donnell has been such a consistent performer for us.”

Kaleta feels he is already benefiting from his loan move.

“I’ve learned quite a lot in a short space of time, coming from a 21s environment into a first-team environment is quite a big jump,” he said.

“I’ve learnt how to carry yourself in certain situations, things to say, things not to say. The experienced lads have been helping me grow, little pieces of information in training.”