MORTON captain Jim McAlister has tipped Kalvin Orsi and Cameron Salkeld to make up for the departure of Bob McHugh.

The midfielder believes that the duo could be a formidable double act for boss David Hopkin as he looks to make up for the loss of Ton's top scorer.

McAlister admits that striker McHugh's exit is a bodyblow but he believes Orsi's raw power in particular could give Ton a trump card up front when the season finally starts.

The former Brechin man made an explosive start to the new year, bursting on to the scene with goals against Dundee United and Ayr United as he became a fans' favourite overnight.

McAlister told the Tele: “I wasn’t expecting Bob to leave.

"I’d only spoken to him briefly before it was announced, but it is a blow for the club.

“He was a big character in and around the club and was a great member of the dressing room and one of the senior players.

“To top that, he was one of the nicest boys that I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing alongside.

"To lose players like that is obviously going to be a blow but it’s up to the boys who’ve stayed to step up to the plate.

“It’ll hopefully give a few of the younger boys who’ve extended their deals that little bit of impetus to go and try and stake their claim to fill that gap in the side.

“You’ve got the likes of Kalvin and Cameron there who have got a great opportunity to make that starting berth their own.

“Kalvin really came onto a game in the second half of the season and you can see why the gaffer brought him in - he offers us something that bit different up top.

“He’s worked so hard whilst he’s been here and I don’t see why he can’t fill that void.”

McAlister meanwhile is hoping for good news this week as he waits to find out if he will be offered a new deal that would take him into his eleventh season at Cappielow.

He said: “It would be a great milestone for me.

“Morton are a club who I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing with.

“We’ll just need to see what happens but I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to sign.

"I’ve openly said that Morton is where I want to finish my playing days, so for as long as there’s someone at the club who wants me to stay I’m more than happy to do that.”