Well hope to keep striker

Blackman: First senior hat-trick

Motherwell manager Craig Brown wants to extend loan striker Nick Blackman's stay at Fir Park.

The 20-year-old has proved a valuable addition to Brown's squad with a number of crucial goals, including scoring a hat-trick in Wednesday's 4-0 drubbing of St Johnstone.

Blackman now has eight league goals in 12 appearances and with Blackburn winning consecutive Premier League matches, Brown is hopeful of extending his stay.

The former Scotland boss is in regular contact with Rovers chief Sam Allardyce and is crossing his fingers the striker can stay beyond January when his loan to due to end.

Extended stay

"I always phone him (Allardyce) after he wins and tell him he doesn't need another striker," said Brown. "We would be to anxious keep him.

"I look for the Blackburn result every game because, the more they win, the more chance we have of keeping him.

"He wants to stay, we're hopeful. Sam's been very good with me."