MORTON boss Dougie Imrie has revealed that one key player is set to return to the fold against Airdrie this weekend as his side’s ongoing injury crisis eases a little.

The Ton chief has on occasions been left sweating about even being able to field a full eleven at times this season as he operates with a narrow squad which has been beset by early season injuries, including THREE in one game last weekend.

Despite the setbacks, the boss says he’s learning from the first headache of his short managerial career.

He is relieved that striker George Oakley will be back in the fold tomorrow, but says it will take time for the frontman to reach full fitness.

Greenock Telegraph:

Imrie told the Tele: “It was one of those games last week at Dunfermline as we lost three players in the same position.

“It’s three key players in the same spot, two came off and one had to stay on and play through an injury.

“But it’s probably good for me, as it’s the first time in my managerial career when I’ve gone through a tough time and a lot of things going on.

“I am probably learning on the job a bit in the sense of how to deal with situations like this, with so many players out injured at one time.

“But it’s up to me to turn it around and get ourselves out of the position we’re in."

Imrie today asked fans to stay with him and the players as they try to fight their way out of a form slump that has seen the team fall to second bottom of the league.

He said: “In time it’ll settle and all I ask is that the fans be patient. I get their frustrations but they really need to stick with us just now.

“It just seems to be one thing after another, we get one player back and we lose two.

"Thankfully George might be back, he’s looked good in training this week.

“It’s important we don’t push him too soon though.

"I'll let him make the decision about whether he feels ready or not."

Imrie also gave a promising update on loanee Tyler French who was stretchered off in distressing scenes at East End Park last Saturday.

Greenock Telegraph: Morton defender Tyler French stretchered off after injury

He says the defender may even be fit to return to the side immediately.

But the news is not so good on fellow casualty Darragh O’Connor, who is waiting on scan results after suffering a dislocated knee.

He added: “I’m hoping that Tyler makes it but Darragh and Jai Quitingo won’t be featuring.

“Darragh had a scan yesterday, so we’ll get a diagnosis of that and figure out where we are."