DEREK Gaston reckons Morton have a ready-made replacement for Carlisle United-bound midfielder Joe McKee in Michael Tidser.

Playmaker Tidser has fallen off the radar at Cappielow somewhat after a registration issue saw him sat on the sidelines for four months before suffering an injury-plagued campaign this term.

The 26-year-old underwent an operation for a double hernia in March — but Gaston believes that after a full pre-season Tidser will be just the man to run the Ton midfield.

He told the Tele: “Joe is someone who’ll be missed. I think over the course of the three seasons with the club, he’s improved each year.

“He’s obviously had a wee bit of bad luck with injuries here and there and it maybe took a wee while to get into his stride afterwards, but I think this season he’s shown how good a player he is.

“That was especially the case in the bigger games, when we went to Parkhead, Ibrox, and St Mirren. He showed his ability and that he was comfortable on the ball.

“So I think it will be difficult to replace him — but in Michael Tidser we have someone who could go in in place of Joe.

“He’s had a few injuries and just needs to catch a wee bit of luck, but he’s an able replacement straight away.

“Everybody knows how good a player Michael is. So when he gets himself back fit and playing then he’s certainly more than capable of filling the void Joe’s left.”

Carlisle officially announced the signing of McKee on their club website yesterday, and Brunton Park boss Keith Curle said: “He’s a player we’ve monitored for a couple of years now. He’s had a really good season in Scotland and that confirmed to us that he was a player we wanted to pursue.

“He doesn’t want to come here just to be a squad player. What we want this season, and it’s what we had last season, is real competition for places. He will provide something different and add a bit of flair in a key area.

“Through the meetings we’ve had with him we’ve seen a real determination to succeed and there is a hunger there where we know he wants to be involved and playing for this football club. We’re looking forward to working with him and we’re pleased that we’ve got this one over the line.”