Hughes joined Motherwell from Leicester City in 2007

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee admits out-of-contract duo Stephen Hughes and Graeme Smith are likely to move on.

However, he hopes to secure on-loan Maros Klimpl on a permanent deal.

"Maros wants to stay and we're trying to negotiate something," he said. "It's a case of trying to get a financial deal that allows us to get him."

McGhee also suggested that he had missed out with offers for Livingston pair Dave MacKay and Murray Davidson who have joined St Johnstone.

"Financially, these are really difficult times and we're going to have to look to the boys coming up from the youth system, which I think is going to become more important for everyone," added McGhee, who was recently priced out of a move for Queen of the South striker Stephen Dobbie.

"We tried to sign a couple of players yesterday who we weren't able to afford and who look as though they've ended up signing for St Johnstone, so that's our problem and we have to cut our cloth.

"The youth system is really where our squad is going to be coming from, because we aren't going to be out there buying and selling lots of players."

Former Rangers pair Hughes and Smith have been impressive performers for Motherwell this season and McGhee is planning ahead for next season without them.

"I'm anticipating they'll leave, but I haven't heard that they've signed for anyone and there are offers on the table," he said.

Slovakian defensive midfielder Klimpl will be free to leave Danish side FC Midtjylland in the summer.

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