By Adam Thomas

MORTON forward Robert Thomson is looking to step-up his recovery from a troubling groin injury this week as he targets a return to the first team.

The former Dumbarton striker has been out of action since January 13, when Ton lost 1-0 to Falkirk.

The injury began to flare up back in September, but Thomson played through the pain barrier before getting it assessed in January, and realising the injury was more serious than initially thought.

It’s been a frustrating period for the 24-year-old, but he’s hoping patience will pay off as he looks to get involved in full training this week.

He said: “I’ve just been trying to build it up, we’ve not been wanting to rush it.

“We wanted to give it ample time to heal and hopefully it’s feeling good at the moment and I’ve progressively stepped up the training.

“I’m hoping to be joining in with full training this week, I did some ball work last week and some more intense runs, so hopefully today I’ll be joining in with the full training.

“I’ve never had this injury before, I never had any injuries last year and I played every game.”

Since Thomson has been injured, Ton have only lost two league games, with a number of tricky away victories on the 
way.

And the forward admits he’s going to have his work cut out for him when he’s back fully fit to try and get back into the fold.

He added: “The boys have been on some run since I’ve been injured.

“I’m gutted, partly because I’m not involved in it and not able to contribute to it, but at the same time I’m over the moon with how well we’re doing.

“It’s made me want to get back even more and to get back into the first team, as it won’t be easy by any stretch of the imagination to get back into the team, never mind even the bench. Looking at the bench on Saturday, I had done my warm-up and I was struggling to see my way back onto it.

“But that’s a challenge for myself, to try and give the gaffer a headache and to try and get back in amongst it.”
Manager Jim Duffy has confirmed none of the long-term injured players will be ready for Saturday’s game against Brechin City.

Ton captain Lee Kilday continued his comeback from his ankle injury last night, helping the under-20s to a 2-1 win over Airdrie.

Gary Harkins’ fitness is also being monitored this week, after picking up a knock in the latter stages of Saturday’s game against Dunfermline.

Duffy said: “Gary jarred his ankle in the latter stages of the game.

“He’s got a couple of days rest now to try and let it settle down, but everyone else got through the game over the weekend.

“There’s no-one coming back from the longer-term injuries who will be back for Brechin.

“Robert Thomson isn’t far away from taking part in competitive training again, but I’d guess he’s still a couple of weeks away from being involved in first team football.”