STRIKER Kris Doolan has revealed that an infuriating hip flexor injury was the reason behind his nightmare six months at Morton.

Doolan has lifted the lid on his injury-hit time at the club after he left upon the expiry of his contract.

The veteran became the latest player to exit Cappielow this summer, following in the footsteps of Sam Ramsbottom, Nicky Cadden and Bob McHugh.

The quartet were joined yesterday by Reghan Tumilty, who sealed a move to Ton’s Championship rivals Raith Rovers, signing a two-year contract in Kirkcaldy.

Doolan has wished his former club well and says he regrets that a freak injury occurred just before he was due to make his first start for David Hopkin’s side.

He told the Tele: “My six months at Morton was really unfortunate and actually quite frustrating, not only for me but for the manager too.

“I enjoyed my time at the club.

"I was looking forward to getting going and came on to make my debut with ten minutes or so to go, which turned out to be my only appearance.

“I was actually due to start at Ayr on the Tuesday night and in the last two minutes of training I got injured the day before the game.

"You just couldn’t make it up.

“I went to shoot with my right foot and felt my hip flexor spasm.

"Initially we thought it would only be a week to 10 days but it just dragged on and on, it wouldn’t settle down.

“We just thought it was a bit of cramp initially but there was obviously a considerable bit more damage in there.

“It was much worse than we first thought and then the season was unfortunately curtailed in the fashion that it was, and it just happens that’s when I was ready to return.

“It was an unfortunate time for everyone, but I did thoroughly enjoy myself at the club.

“I was looking forward to getting into the team and scoring goals."

Doolan says Ton gaffer Hopkin would have liked him to stay but suggested that the financial constraints caused by the shutdown meant that no deal could be offered.

He said: "I’d spoken to the manager about what was happening for next season and I think that he was hopeful that I would be able to stay.

"I got on well with him and I really liked the way he went about things and I hope that they do well next season.

“I can totally understand the financial situation that the club find themselves in just now and that it makes it quite difficult for them going forward, despite the manager wanting me to stay.

“I think the effects of Covid-19 are taking their toll across the whole of Scottish football and in this case the funds that he thought he would’ve had just weren’t available.”

Meanwhile Ton have been linked with a loan move for promising Rangers youngster Josh McPake.

It's understood they are vying with rivals Ayr United for the 18-year-old striker, who had a spell with Dundee last season.