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Domestic football is back after the winter break, and the Steelmen get started for the new year with a Scottish Cup clash at Fir Park.

Championship side Ross County are the opponents for Stephen Robinson’s side, who have been boosted by an encouraging January transfer window so far.

Here, we take a look at the game in numbers.

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No side has scored more goals in the Championship than Ross County, and it is no surprise that the Staggies sit top of the table as a result.

The club have failed to score in their last two games though, and have lost both.

They’ll be hungry to turn their fortunes around in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup this weekend.

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Motherwell fans will be excited at the chance of seeing January signing Ross McCormack in action.

But with the striker still working his way towards full match sharpness, this weekend’s clash may arrive just too soon.

It won’t stop the Fir Park faithful getting excited about the club’s number 44 making his return though.

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Despite the fact Ross County were relegated last season, it has only been 63 days since they were last at Fir Park.

But that was for a clash against Motherwell Colts in the Irn-Bru Cup, where the Northern outfit left 2-1 victors.

Scottish Cup football is back, and Ross County lay in wait for the Steelmen in the first game of 2019.

The Championship side travel to Fir Park on the back of consecutive defeats, but won’t be short of motivation for the fourth round clash.

Championship leaders

Steven Ferguson and Stuart Kettlewell have led their side on a revival of sorts in the first half of the 2018/19 campaign.

After suffering relegation, the Staggies have enjoyed a scintillating six months or so and now sit top of the Championship after 21 games.

However, it’s a tight league this term, with Ayr and Dundee United hot on the Highlanders tails.

Premiership experience

Having been in the top flight just a matter of months ago, County are no strangers to opposition like Motherwell.

A number of their first team players have valuable Premiership experience, with the Dingwall outfit themselves or with other clubs.

Don Cowie spent a number of seasons at Hearts, Liam Fontaine arrived from Hibs, whilst players like Marcus Fraser and Michael Gardyne have been at the club for a number of years.

Another shot at glory

The Staggies made it to the Scottish Cup final in 2010, but fell narrowly short as Dundee United went on to lift the famous old trophy.

Every season that rolls around presents another opportunity for the club to go one step further, and they’ll be desperate to do just that.

They are no strangers to lifting silverware though, having won the League Cup in 2016.

Motherwell return to competitive action on Saturday as Ross County visit in the William Hill Scottish Cup.

Here’s an early look ahead to the match.

Form guide

Motherwell ended 2018 with a morale-boosting win over rivals Hamilton Academical, with Tom Aldred netting a double to secure the bragging rights going into the winter break.

Ross County, meanwhile, have continued action in the Ladbrokes Championship. Their last two games, both away from home, have seen them lose 1-0 to Greenock Morton and 4-0 to Queen of the South. Prior to that, they won two on home turf against Partick Thistle and Inverness CT.

Head to head

The Staggies faced the Steelmen five times in the 2017/18 campaign, four times in the Premiership and once in the Betfred Cup.

Motherwell won three, two of which were at Fir Park. County won one, while there was also one draw.

Secure your seat early

Season ticket holders can guarantee their seat if they buy in advance. Your seat is being held for you until 9am on the day of the game. Tickets will automatically be loaded onto your season card when purchased.

All fans can buy their tickets in advance online right now.

A cash gate will also be in operation. Kick off is at 3pm.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Allan Campbell says he understands the reasons he’s been often rested in the early part of the 2018/19 season, but believes he’s ready to reach his previous heights again.

The young midfielder had a hectic 2018, barely having a summer break due to international commitments after being a club regular, and says he respects manager Stephen Robinson’s call to rotate him in order to avoid burnout.

Richard Tait has been an onlooker in Tenerife, but says watching from the sidelines has given him belief the mid-season break will serve as a catalyst for the second half of the campaign.

The defender is nursing an ankle knock sustained against Hamilton Academical and, when he’s not been working in the gym, says he’s seen plenty to give cause for optimism in 2019.

Manager Stephen Robinson says the ability to get away for a week of hard work in Tenerife can be beneficial in many ways.

A gruelling week has allowed players to get their fitness up, while also enjoying being able to train in warm weather and bond again, as the second half of the season looms.

Tom Aldred, Carl McHugh, Keith Lasley and Craig Hinchliffe try to come up with three answers on any given subject in just five seconds.

Peter Hartley says the mistakes made by Motherwell in the first half of the season can be rectified, starting with hard work in the mid-season camp.

The club captain says inconsistencies shown can be ironed out, based on encouraging performances in spells and the attitude of players in Tenerife.

January recruit Gboly Aribiyi says he will bring pace and flair to the Motherwell side.

The loan signing from Nottingham Forest, a former team-mate at Ross McCormack, has linked up with Stephen Robinson’s side for the remainder of the 2018/19 campaign.

Motherwell have taken Nottingham Forest’s United States Under 23 international Gboly Ariyibi on loan until the end of the current season.

The 23-year-old forward is the second addition of the January window, following the recent arrival of Ross McCormack from Aston Villa.

“I am delighted to join and I can’t wait to get started,” he said.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about the club and the league and as soon as I spoke with the manager, I knew this is where I wanted to come.”

Born in Arlington, Virginia to Nigerian parents, Ariyibi spent the majority of his life in England, but for a short time living in Lagos.

He came through the youth ranks at Southampton before moving to Leeds United, where he teamed with McCormack.

He made his Championship debut almost exactly five years ago against his current club, Nottingham Forest, before a short-term loan to Tranmere Rovers.

Following his release by Leeds in 2014, Ariyibi joined Chesterfield and turned out 96 times for the Spireites across two-and-a-half seasons, before being bought by Forest for an undisclosed fee in the January 2017 window.

Although he has yet to make his senior debut at the City Ground, he has clocked up another 40 matches in League One with loans at MK Dons and Northampton.

“We’ve been tracking the player for quite some time and I am really pleased to get this agreed and over the line,” ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said.

“He’s a fast-footed, speedy forward player who can plays on either flank or through the middle. He fits the type of profile we were looking for and will hopefully provide a different dimension in the forward areas.

“Going into the window, we were keen to boost our attacking options and with Ross and Gboly, we’ve made a good start.”