Hammell and Lappin were signed on transfer deadline day

Full-back Hammell returns to Fir Park from Southend, while midfielder Lappin is on loan from Norwich.

And McGhee has not giving up hope of persuading striker Ross McCormack to extend his stay with the club.

"He is still a Motherwell player and, until he isn't, we will continue to talk to him," said McGhee.

McCormack has already had talks with Middlesbrough and other English clubs have expressed an interest.

And McGhee is himself keeping an eye on developments at Derby County, where former Rangers midfielder Bob Malcolm's future is in doubt.

I have absolutely no doubt that being down south for a year and a half has helped me a lot Motherwell defender Steven Hammell

"I honestly don't know what the situation officially is with Bob, so until I know that I can't comment really except to say we did want to bring him in and that's not changed," said the Well manager.

McGhee was disappointed to lose Jim Paterson to Plymouth but was pleased that the �250,000 fee allowed him to sign 25-year-old left-back Hammell.

"He has a little bit of experience down south, which I think will have improved him as a player and we are glad to have him as a replacement for Jim Paterson, who has been a very good player for us this season," he said.

McGhee is also hopeful of securing Lappin on a longer deal should his loan spell prove successful.

The former St Mirren midfielder dropped out of the Norwich side shortly after manager Peter Grant was replaced by Glenn Roeder.

"I played a couple of games under him, but unfortunately it wasn't in my preferred position," said Lappin, who was coy about his future beyond the summer.

"The left-back there, Adam Drury, had a knee injury, so I was happy to fill in at left-back until he got someone in."

MY SPORT: DEBATE Steven Hammell was absolutely quality for Southend and will be sorely missed at Roots Hall hotspurshrimper19

Hammill was delighted by his surprise return to his former club.

"I wasn't really expecting to be moving in January," he said.

"I have absolutely no doubt that being down south for a year and a half has helped me a lot.

"I've matured as a person as well as a player and I think that time in a different environment was just what I needed."

Meanwhile, Motherwell have acted to ensure they have everyone available for the Scottish Cup fifth-round clash against Dundee, which has been rescheduled for Tuesday.

They have pulled Scotland Under-21 trio McCormack, Marc Fitzpatrick and Mark Reynolds from Billy Stark's squad for a four-team tournament in Portugal.