MORTON last night received a boost after scan results revealed Gary Oliver’s knee injury isn’t as serious as first feared.

Oliver was worried his season could be over after he limped off in the 41st minute of last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Queen of the South at Palmerston Park.

However, Morton boss Jim Duffy last night confirmed the 21-year-old is only expected to be out of action for a few weeks, after scans showed he had suffered a slight medial ligament tear.

Duffy said: “It’s good news, if not great news. 

“It’s good news because it’s not as bad as first feared — there’s no damage to the cruciate ligament or anything like that.

“The other side of it is that’s a slight tear of the medial ligament and it’s still going to be a few weeks yet. 

“However long can depend on the extent of the tear and the individual.

“But it is good news in that it’s not anymore serious than that, and that’s brilliant for everybody concerned because it means he’s still going to play a significant part in the rest of the season.”

Meanwhile Dumbarton striker Robert Thomson has nowsigned his pre-contract agreement with Morton and will move to Cappielow in the summer on a two-year deal.

Duffy said: “Robert is a different type of player to what we’ve had in the time we’ve been here. 

“He can play as an out-and-out centre forward and with Dumbarton he has been used on the left.

“In the summer, it’s always very difficult to get strikers and front players – it’s always the hardest part – so it’s good to get someone on board early. That was important for us.”