NEW Motherwell defender Charles Dunne is eager to make up for lost time. The 24-year-old missed the second half of last season at Oldham with a pelvic injury and previously suffered a broken leg after joining Blackpool from Wycombe.

Dunne said: “When I was young, I broke my leg, so that was tough for me, but I got through it. And last year I got quite a serious injury. I didn’t think it was serious at the time but it kept me out for quite a while. But it’s part of football, most players get injured, and it’s just how you deal with it.

“Not being able to do anything, not even train, is not nice, but it builds your character. When you have friends playing football and they are kicking on, obviously you want to as well, so it’s about playing catch-up.”

Dunne has been reunited with Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson, who also signed him for Oldham. The left-sided defender said: “The manager was a big reason why I signed.

“At Oldham we built up a player-manager relationship and a man-to-man relationship as well. I’m glad he brought me up here and I want to prove he’s done the right thing.”

Robinson, meanwhile, says he is hopeful that Louis Moult will remain at Fir Park next season, after offering a new contract to his striker.

Despite rumours linking Moult with a move to Rangers, there have been no firm offers for his services so far.

Robinson said: “I’ve had a couple of conversations about Louis but there haven’t been any offers at this stage. I’m very hopeful he’ll be with us. We’ve offered him a new contract, we’re negotiating with him and we’re hopeful that he’ll stay.

“We can’t pay what other teams can pay, we know that, but the fans adore him, he’s been brilliant for the club but the club’s been brilliant for him – we’ve given him a platform to play on.”