Byline: Gordon Waddell
Stevie Hammell sent Jamie Murphy south last week with his blessing - but now fears more Motherwell mates will be on their way, leaving him and Keith Lasley in the lurch.
Hammell and Lasley (below) are the only two top-team stars at Fir Park whose contracts extend beyond the summer.
And although the full-back feels Murphy has earned a crack at English football, he fears the double-edged sword of 'fees now or free later' means others could follow.
He said: "We've got some players playing at the top of their game and unfortunately most of them are out of contract in the summer.
"It'll be tough for the gaffer and the …