MORTON bosses are set to axe their reserve side as they make cutbacks in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

It's believed the development squad will be broken up and coach John Sutton is expected to leave his role in charge of it.

Ton chiefs made the move to fold the under-20s after a perilous four months for Scottish football.

No games have been played since March due to the lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, depriving the club of vital matchday revenue.

Ton were able to furlough all of their staff, apart from chief executive Dave MacKinnon, meaning almost all of the Cappielow wage bill was picked up by the state from April.

The only revenue Ton have had in recent months has come from a £50,000 donation by Scottish football benefactor James Anderson, plus their share of the SPFL prize money for last season and income from new replica shirt sales and 2020-21 season ticket purchases.

They were also handed a five-figure sum cash boost when hundreds of fans generously decided to forego refunds from the four matches they missed out on last term after paying up front.

The club is also once again due to start receiving monthly contributions from fans' investment group Morton Club Together ahead of the new season.

Earlier this year Ton highlighted how they had lost out on significant income from the SFA’s Project Brave initiative.

Reserves boss Sutton, who declined to comment when contacted yesterday, was appointed as head coach of the development squad two seasons ago after hanging up his boots.

The striker was coaxed back into playing by current Ton gaffer David Hopkin last season but it's not known if he will be retained by the club as a player.

He is among a whole host of first team squad members who will see their deals expire today, with announcements due on their futures.

It's believed the club's decision to get rid of the reserves could see around 10 youngsters leave the club.

The Tele contacted club chief executive MacKinnon but received no response to our enquiry.