MORTON forward Jai Quitongo has revealed a top professor waived the fee for his surgery as he steps up his recovery from injury today.

The forward received free world-class treatment from leading sports surgeon Professor Gordon Mackay at Ross Hall Hospital in Glasgow, which would normally have cost thousands of pounds.

The doctor has worked with top sports teams across the UK and is world-renowned for his work.

After Quitongo injured the same knee again, tearing the cartilage back in January, he decided he needed to take a different approach, after a similar injury ruled him out for six months, when he missed the entire second half of the 2016-17 season.

Along with Sister Moira Brown, Prof Mackay kept him on crutches longer and did extra work with him in the hope the youngster will return stronger for next season.

But the professor also decided to cover all the costs, sponsoring his surgery and saving Morton thousands, as he believes the Ton ace can go far in the game if he can get back to his best.

Quitongo told the Tele: “He sponsored my surgery so the club didn’t have to pay anything.

“The reason behind it was he thinks I’m a really likeable person and he wants me to do well in the game, and he thinks if my surgery goes well I can reach the heights I am capable of achieving.

“He gave me extra treatment as well, which obviously all adds up.

“I owe him and Sister Brown so much for that and I can’t thank them and everyone at Ross Hall enough.”

The 20-year-old is targeting a return to full fitness in around a month’s time as he begins strengthening his leg back up today.

He added: “It’s been a frustrating injury but it’s just been a bit of bad luck.

“Hopefully I’ve turned a corner now and my luck changes and I can get back as soon as possible and can start playing at the level I know I’m capable of playing at.

“I’ve lost a good bit of muscle but I know I’ll work hard and get it back. I’ll be back as soon as I can.

“I’m off the crutches and I start my rehab today. It’ll hopefully be a month and that will be me back fighting fit.

“Everyone knows I’ve got a lot of energy and I’m itching to play.

“It’s not as serious this time but the surgeon wanted to give the injury the right amount of time to heal.”

After another lengthy spell on the sidelines, Quitongo at times has got upset at how his career hasn’t kicked on since earning his first Scotland Under-21 cap back in 2016 after being hampered with knee injuries.

Quitongo said: “It’s been horrendous, I end up taking it out on everyone else and I don’t mean to at all.

“I have my good days and my bad days. I take it out on my mum mostly as she’s the one who is there for me and my brother.

“I’ve been a bit bipolar these days, but once I get into the gym I’m hoping I get back to normal.

“It’s been hard watching the game on the sides. I hate going to the games to watch because I want to participate now.

"I’ve waited all this time and I’ve just got to get back playing as soon as possible.”