MORTON boss Jim Duffy says he’s pleased with his side’s pre-season preparations — despite being hit with yet more injuries.

First team regulars Conor Pepper, Mark Russell, Ricki Lamie and youngster John Tennent have all been out of action for the last few weeks with knocks, putting pressure on the already-threadbare Cappielow squad.

The treatment room trouble is similar to the situation a year ago when the likes of Michael Tidser, Peter MacDonald and Frank McKeown all had early spells on the sidelines.

But ahead of the start of the competitive campaign on Saturday away to Albion Rovers in the Betfred League Cup, the Ton boss is more optimistic this time round, as the injuries are of a less serious nature.

Duffy told the Telegraph: “I’m happy with the players we have, their attitude has been magnificent and I’m delighted with it.

“Obviously you never want injuries and last year we had senior players getting injured at the start of the season and then it pretty much continued right throughout the season.

“I’m hoping that the injuries we’ve got just now are not significant and that players will be available because we don’t have a big squad and it’s stretched as it is.

“If we can get these boys back that’ll make a difference to us and just gives us a bit more breathing space when it comes to picking the team.

“At the moment there’s at least two serious, but with the start of the cup campaign it’s not just the fact the boys have got to get fit — they’ve missed a good part of pre-season and games.

“Getting up to speed again sometimes takes time.

“But their attitude has been great and their work ethic has been terrific, I’ve got no issues with that.”