MORTON striker Robert Thomson is hoping for a fresh start next season after having an injury-disrupted campaign.

The 24-year-old first injured his groin back in September but the striker played through the pain barrier for the first half of the season.

He then eventually got the injury seen to in January but found out it was more serious than they first thought – meaning he faced a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

He returned for the last six games of Ton’s campaign, but the former Dundee United player admitted it was tough to get back up to full speed again so late in the season after being injured.

He told the Tele: “It was far from ideal, it was hard to get going towards the end of the season having that two-month spell out, and also carrying the injury before that.

“It disrupted my season and towards the end it never really happened for me. Hopefully I can take some time out now and rest over the close season, then come back and I’ll put the injurt trouble behind me.”

Thomson is signed up for next season after penning a two-year deal last year after signing from Dumbarton.

The forward acknowledged it took a while for him to get used to training day-in-day-out again after spells part-time with Dumbarton and Brechin City prior to his Cappielow switch.

He added: “It took quite a bit of adjusting to, but it was good to get back in amongst it full-time and it helps that there was a good group of boys here too.

“It took me a while to get used to training most days again but I enjoyed the routines we were given, so that helped.”

Morton are searching for a new manager as they target a replacement for former manager Jim Duffy.

The forward believes Morton should be trying to at least a play-off position next year, regardless of who comes in the door at Cappielow.

He said: “There are always going to be a couple of favourites for the league. If you look at St Mirren this year, and even Dundee United, these teams are always up there, and Inverness will likely be too.

“The team that’s always come down has been in amongst the favourites.

“The goal will be to aim to get into the play-offs. It is achieveable if you put a good run together, just look at what Livingston have managed.

“I’m sure they went out to have a decent season and it’s led to them finishing second in the league and now in the driving seat against Partick after a 2-1 win. It can be done.”