MOTHERWELL manager Stephen Robinson has challenged his defenders to grasp their opportunity after mainstay Charles Dunne was ruled out for up to four months with a groin injury.

The defender suffered the injury in an innocuous incident at Stranraer last weekend, but scan results revealed that the injury was more severe than first feared and the 25-year-old is likely to go under the knife to rectify the issue.

That is a massive setback for Robinson’s side, but with the Fir Park boss unable to draft in any replacements due to his budget already being spent, he has thrown the gauntlet down to the likes of Liam Donnelly and young Barry Maguire to fill the gap.

"Losing Charles is a huge blow for us,” Robinson said. “There is no point in dressing it up. It looks like it will require surgery and we are looking at probably four months out.

"He has been excellent for us and a lot of people at a higher level are looking at him.

"My budget is maxed out, so I don't have room to work on that. We do have numbers in that area - with Cedric Kipre, Liam Donnelly, Peter Hartley, Carl McHugh and young Barry Maguire.

"There are options, but we don't have a like for like with Dunney. We will deal with it but unfortunately it's one of our important players.

"People will need to step up. Liam reminds of Charles at this stage last season - still getting used to the tempo. But he has huge potential and I also have a lot of time for young Barry.

"We will need to get Peter back fit quicker than we thought. He is available for selection but the only thing that will get you there is games - and if we do throw him in, he has the experience and quality to handle it.”