MORTON are set to scour the Premiership for loan signings as David Hopkin looks to add defenders to his squad before the transfer deadline.

Hopkin lost experienced defender Brian McLean to injury in Friday night's Betfred Cup showdown against Motherwell, with the centre half requiring treatment just minutes into the second half.

The Ton gaffer insists the substitution was only a precaution, but it highlighted the need for reinforcements.

Hopkin says the loan market is an 'attractive option' for Ton and is prepared to wait for top flight talent to become available.

He told the Tele: "We've been working hard to get bodies in, we're working non-stop.

"It's a case of getting the right people in to the club and we'll be looking at a few targets this week.

"Losing Brian McLean was a blow for us as we had two central midfielders stepping into defence on Friday night as we only have two signed centre halves.

"The loan market is looking like an attractive option now, but with that it only really comes into play after a few league games.

"What you're waiting for is for the premier league clubs to filter their players to the ones they want and then hopefully they let some of their younger players go out on loan.

"Hopefully we can get one or two in on permanent deals and then if we can get one or two in on loan to make us that bit stronger then of course it will be an option that we will look to take up."