Craigan (left) only played the first half against St Johnstone

Motherwell manager Jim Gannon is satisfied with Stephen Craigan's reaction to being substituted at half-time last week against St Johnstone.

The 32-year-old captain was sacrificed along with John Sutton as Well came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw.

"You've got to remember that Stephen was away on international duty on the Wednesday and played a full game," Gannon said.

"He should have sat out training and let himself recover. He looked jaded."

Relations between Craigan, who had played in Northern Ireland's 1-1 draw with Israel, and Well's new manager were strained at the start of the season when Gannon singled the defender out for blame as they opened the campaign with a surprise Europa League defeat by Llanelli.

Craigan was unhappy that his manager had gone public with his comments.

But, despite last weekend's substitution, which he said at the time was to inject some more energy into the team, Gannon insists the veteran is back in contention to face Kilmarnock on Saturday.

If a player feels he is miles away from playing, I'm sure he will tell me 'I want to move'. But, at the moment, nobody has done that Motherwell manager Jim Gannon

"He came in on Thursday and said he was OK to train and really that was an error on his part," said Gannon of last week's decision.

"But, having players of that experience is certainly going to be important, not just to the team but to the squad."

Other experienced players - such as Keith Lasley, Steven McGarry and Marc Fitzpatrick - have found appearances hard to come by as Gannon places his faith in younger players.

But the former Stockport manager has told them the door to the first team is not closed.

"They are good professionals and they have been in the game a long time, they know there is a bit of storming that goes on when a manager comes in and while he assesses them," Gannon said.

"A couple of them have come to speak to me and I explained where I see them in our squad and what they might have to achieve.

"That's all they want to know, what they have to do to get in the team.

"Now it's just a question of them getting their heads down and working really hard and showing me they have a part to play. If they do that, there will not be an issue.

"Of course, if they have been used to playing regular football, they will be a little bit frustrated if they're not.

"But we will manage that situation as we go and, if a player feels he is miles away from playing, I'm sure he will tell me 'I want to move'. But, at the moment, nobody has done that."

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