RICKI Lamie believes Morton’s injury crisis earlier this season will help the squad in the long run — because new bonds have been formed at the heart of defence.

Lamie, Thomas O’Ware, Lee Kilday and Darren Barr have all been out injured this season already leaving the likes of Jack Iredale and midfielder by trade Connor McManus in the middle of a depleted back four on more than a few occasions.

But Lamie reckons that despite the obvious benefits of knowing how your partner works beside you in defence, it can be equally beneficial to learn how different team-mates react to different situations — and adapt to new defensive partners.

He told the Tele: “It doesn’t matter what level of football you’re playing at, whether it be the Champions League final or a kickabout down the pitches, if you know the person you’re playing with it’s obviously going to make it easier.

“You know the way they play and it’s going to be better for you. That’s what we’ve got with myself and guys like Thomas O’Ware but even Jack Iredale, he came in and did well for a few weeks and he earned himself a deal. 

“So although it’s easier the more you play with someone, the better understanding you have, it’s not always a bad thing that there’s rotation in the squad. 

“We’ve had to do that already a bit this season, so playing with other players is beneficial too.”