Motherwell want to sign Cork City defender Danny Murphy before the end of the August transfer window next week.

-born Murphy is out of contract at the end of the current eircom League season and could move back across channel for nothing in January.

However, 'Well are keen to draft in the former QPR man immediately and have reportedly lodged a bid with the eircom League champions.

Murphy, 23, joined the Leesiders from English non-league side Margate in 2004 and subsequently signed a contract extension at Turners Cross.

However, that deal expires at the end of the year and it remains to be seen if Cork can dissuade him from returning to the professional game in the UK.

He has been no stranger to controversy this season, having twice been fingered for clashes after games, first in the Setanta Sports Cup final against Drogheda United in April before picking up a red card for an incident in the tunnel after Cork's Champions League clash with Apollon Limassol in Cyprus last month.