MORTON boss Dougie Imrie has revealed his regret that Steven Boyd's stint at Cappielow did not work out.

The attacker departed the club unexpectedly last week, deciding to cut short the two year deal he had agreed back in the summer.

Imrie says he was happy with the contribution the player made during his 24 appearances.

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But he revealed that his former Hamilton Accies' colleague had been been struggling mentally latterly, and insists that his welfare must come first.

He said: "I've got a lot of time for Steven. He's a kid I've worked with before and for a long time, and I brought him in to be his manager.

"I really feel for him, he's a great boy and player, technically one of the best we had at the club.

"Unfortunately it's just not happened for him here. But these things happen in football.

"I think Steven's now in a better place though, even though I'm gutted to lose him.

"I thought he would be a good player for us in the run in and moving forward into next year, which he was contracted until the end of.

"But the wee man's made a decision that he wants to call it a day. Whether that's a decision that means he leaves football altogether is up to him or not.

"He's got until the summer to make his mind up on that because he'll not be able to go anywhere until then.

"I'm happier that he's doing better now, that makes me happy as a friend and a human being. I'm just gutted it did not work out for him here. I thought Steven did well for us when he was called upon, but the most important thing is that he's in a better place now mentally.

"Everybody thinks football's always brilliant and everything about it is great, but it's not. Folk don't understand that's always the case. I'm just delighted that Steven's in a better head space now that the decision has been made."

Boss Imrie and his players welcome Inverness Caley Thistle to Cappielow tomorrow as they look to make it 17 games unbeaten and bid to force their way into the top three of the Championship.

But the boss faces a series of injury headaches as Ton's recent heavy schedule takes its toll. Ryan Mullen missed out in midweek along with George Oakley, who sustained a painful rib injury following a very heavy challenge against Airdrie.

The manager said: "There's one or two injury doubts, both were picked up against Airdrie last week.

"Ryan Mullen will hopefully be back in a week or two, although it could be a bit longer, and it's the same with George Oakley. We'll need to assess them as they go.

"Injuries are part and parcel of football, but the tackle on George was poor, there was no intent to play the ball and it's disappointing.

"We'll just need to see how they are and hopefully they are back sooner rather than later."

Iain Wilson was forced off injured against Raith Rovers in midweek and will join Oakley and Mullen in watching from the sidelines as he waits on ytest results.

Imrie told the Telegraph: "Iain is awaiting on a scan to determine the extent of his injury. Touch wood it isn't too long an absence for him but I can't determine lengths of time without those results."