Motherwell manager Stuart McCall has heaped praise upon John Sutton after he scored twice in Saturday's 3-1 win over Ross County.

Sutton headed a 54th-minute equaliser and then completed the turnaround 14 minutes later with a clinical finish following Henri Anier's lofted through-ball.

The 29-year-old forward, who left Fir Park to join Hearts in May 2011, has now found the net five times in 10 games since returning to the Well in the summer.

McCall is impressed with the contribution of Sutton, who has been tasked with the job of filling the void left by Michael Higdon's departure to NEC Nijmegen.

"I have always liked big Sutty," McCall told reporters. "I was disappointed to lose him but I understood totally when he left. Once I realised he was going to be up for grabs and we lost Higdon, it was a no-brainer for me.

"He is good in the dressing room, he is popular, and if you give him the service, he will score goals. And not only that, he is handful. Everyone looked at big Higdon as a handful and Sutty is the same, and has a bit more mobility if I'm honest.

"I'm delighted for Sutty, he is a really good professional, he works hard at everything he does and he is getting his rewards."

Higdon has scored two goals in six league starts for Nijmegen, who currently sit bottom of the Eredivisie table.