Motherwell manager Stuart McCall hopeful on Anier contract

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall hopes that Viking Stavanger's financial demands do not prevent Henri Anier extending his loan at Fir Park.

The Estonia striker scored twice in their 3-0 win over St Mirren.

But the loan from his Norwegian parent club ends in mid-January.

"We would like to get him on the same terms for the rest of the season, but if they want us to pay his full wages, it would be a stumbling block," admitted McCall.

McCall remains "fairly confident" that he will be able to retain the 23-year-old, especially as Anier himself has expressed a desire to remain with Motherwell.

Anier has a year of his contract remaining with Viking.

"Hopefully, they would prefer him to be playing to put him in the shop window," suggested McCall.

Motherwell's other goal was scored by another player on loan, Rotherham United winger Lionel Ainsworth.

"We would like to keep Henri and Lionel and have had tentative discussions with their agents," said McCall.

"We will talk with them again, but maybe today's game will have twisted their arms.

"Lionel has had niggling injuries that have restricted his appearances for us, but I thought he was fantastic."

McCall was pleased to have recorded two straight victories after some disappointing results, including the surprise Scottish Cup exit at the hands of League Two outfit Albion Rovers.

"We have good quality in the side and I think we showed that," he said.

"St Mirren have been on a good run themselves, despite losing last week to Aberdeen, but I thought we deserved our win and, apart from the goals, Marian Kello had a lot of good saves."