MORTON boss Jim Duffy has been rocked with the news that forward Jai Quitongo will be sidelined for the foreseeable 
future.

The 20-year-old requires surgery to repair a tear in his knee cartilage — and could be out for several weeks or even longer.

Quitongo only recently returned to the side having jarred his knee during the 1-1 draw with Brechin City at Glebe Park last month.

Quitongo only recently returned to the side having jarred his knee during the 1-1 draw with Brechin City at Glebe Park last month.

The youngster then came off the bench to score a late winner against Dunfermline in Ton’s 2-1 Scottish Cup fourth round win at East End Park. 

He was on the bench for the subsequent 3-0 league win over Dundee United at Tannadice.

However, in a new blow to the player, he started to feel discomfort in his knee and a scan has confirmed that he will need a tidy-up operation.

Quitongo missed six months of last season after he sustained cruciate ligament damage in his knee and now he faces another extended period on the sidelines.

Boss Duffy said: “When he came off against Brechin a few weeks ago, he felt something at the back of his knee. 

“Then he went up to Tannadice and wasn’t well, due to infection.

“But he’s got a wee pocket of fluid behind his knee and we sent him for a scan.

“He’s now got a tear in his cartilage, so he’s going to have to get that dealt with — as soon as.

“So he’s going to be out for the foreseeable future and it could be a number of weeks- but it could be longer.

“It’s not the same injury [as before] but it’s restricting him.

“He’s saying himself that he can do some parts of training but he doesn’t feel that explosive power and he can’t get full acceleration.

“Every time he did do some impact training he was swelling up a little bit.

“He wasn’t too bad but it’s been enough to give us cause for concern.

“The consultants noted that there is a tear in the cartilage and that will have to be dealt with.”

Duffy is gutted about the youngster’s current predicament.

He said: “It’s difficult for him because he’s such an enthusiastic boy, a boy who just loves playing football.

“He’s had a stop-start season, all season. And you get those type of seasons. I’ve said to him that he’ll have to put it behind him when he gets fit again.

“He’s only 20 and has plenty of years ahead of him but at this moment in time it’s a bit demoralising for him.”

He added: “We’ll try to get him back as best we can but the bottom line is he won’t be available for the foreseeable future.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Ross Forbes looks like he will be out of action for the rest of the season due to severe knee bruising.