FORMER Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School pupil Chris Porter appears to be heading north of the border after all.

Dundee United last week pulled the plug on a deal to sign the Oldham striker on a free transfer.

But new Motherwell boss Mark McGhee has stepped in and, according to his agent Lee Payne, the 23-year-old is ready to sign a two-year contract at Fir Park today.

Payne said: "He has agreed terms in principle with Motherwell and will head back there after the weekend to complete the deal.

"Mark McGhee has made a big impression on him. Now Chris has the opportunity to make his mark in the SPL."

Porter scored 22 goals in England last season for the Latics, who turned down transfer bids from Championship clubs for the striker.

Motherwell will not have to pay any compensation due to the cross-border transfer regulations, much to the anger of his present club.

But Payne defended the move.

He added: "They offered Chris a new deal that was unacceptable and had since January to improve on it.

"They had other offers in and I think they were waiting for higher bids and were not aware that he could move to Scotland on a free transfer.

"I'm sure we'll get criticism thrown at us, but the wages in Scotland are not massive if you are not with Celtic and Rangers and are probably on a par with Division One in England."