Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell says striker Connor Shields has a future at Fir Park, and expects him to at least see out the remaining year of his contract.
The 25-year-old striker joined Queen’s Park on loan on January 31, and since then has netted five times in 15 Championship games with the Spiders.
Shields, from Coatbridge, made his move to Owen Coyle’s side under previous boss Steven Hammell, and at the time he was very much out of favour.
But Kettlewell has been to several Queen’s Park games to watch his striker in action and says with a year left on his contract, he will be welcomed back to Fir Park in the summer.
Shields has at least one more game still to play for Queen’s Park on Friday, as they face Partick Thistle in the second leg of their Premiership play-off semi-final, chasing a 4-3 deficit from Firhill on Tuesday.
Kettlewell says he has spoken to him at length and is happy with the situation.
He said: “Connor has another year left on his contract, so it’s pretty simple – he’s out on loan just now.
“I spoke to him last week, personally, I’ve watched a number of his games for Queen’s Park, and when the season finishes, Connor is well aware that he’s a Motherwell player and that he has a year on his contract
“As always, we’re aware of these situations, and how that materialises through summer and all the rest of it, but Connor has another year left on his contract and he is a Motherwell player.”
Kettlewell denied that having Shields back would be like a new signing, having watched him in the first half of this season, and is aware of what he brings.
He said: “Connor played a lot of football for Motherwell in the first half of the season.
“I think it was agreed, not through myself, but through the previous manager, Connor and his representative, that they felt it was best to go and get more minutes on the pitch, and probably play as a striker.
“I believe that he was playing in a wide position, and going to Queen’s Park has given him more of an opportunity to play through the middle, so that was an agreement that was in place.
“It’s one we will pick up when our season finishes as well, but I’ve touched base with the player, I know where he’s at physically and mentally, and where he is with Queen’s Park, and we’ll pick it up once the season’s finished for both him and for us.”
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