Dirk Lehmann has spoken of his relief at returning to Scotland after a nightmare six months with Albion.

The German marksman is joining Motherwell for the rest of the season.

Lehmann only signed for the Seagulls last summer on a Bosman free transfer from Motherwell's fellow Scottish Premier League strugglers Hibernian.

"The people are really friendly up there and they know of me from the time I was at Hibs," Lehmann said. "I had two really good years up there, so they really respect me as a player.

"I am not getting any younger and I need to play and be involved. Hopefully things will work out now."

Former boss Micky Adams signed Lehmann, 30, to partner Bobby Zamora, but he struggled with injuries early on and has been restricted to just six starts.

Motherwell boss Eric Black invited the former Fulham forward for a brief trial last week and liked what he saw.

Lehmann scored in a practice game and Black's mind was made up when he watched him net again in a 3-0 victory for Albion's reserves at Northampton on Wednesday.

"I've not been happy with not playing," Lehmann said. "They were interested in taking me, but they knew I had been injured so they wanted to see me for a few days.

Lehmann, who also played at centre half for Hibs, scored his only goal for Albion in the LDV Vans Trophy victory at Swansea in December.

He is the third fringe player to leave following Andy Crosby's departure to Oxford and Matthew Wicks' move to Hull in a free transfer swap with David Lee. Unsettled midfielder Geoff Pitcher is also joining Woking on loan for three months.

Meanwhile, manager Peter Taylor is ready to ring the changes to cope with a hectic League schedule.

The promotion-chasing Seagulls are at Chesterfield on Monday and Brentford next Thursday.

Taylor is concerned that the likes of veteran defender Simon Morgan will find it difficult to cope with three matches in the space of six days.

"It's a hectic programme and that is where all the players will probably be involved," Taylor said.

"Some players might be feeling it on Monday, so I will have to think about that when I make my selection."

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