Queen of South vs Greenock - Morton duo Quitongo and Forbes ruled out for lengthy spells

Morton’s Ladbrokes Championship play-off hopes have been dealt a severe blow after the club discovered that Jai Quitongo and Ross Forbes would stay on the sidelines for lengthy spells.

Former Motherwell midfielder Forbes has not played in 2018 and striker Quitongo has already been out for three weeks.

Manager Jim Duffy told the club’s official website: “Jai has just met the consultant and he’s got a little bit of torn cartilage, so he is going to be missing for the foreseeable future. I don’t know how many weeks but he is going to need an operation.

“It’s going to be a number of weeks. At this stage of the season the boy is devastated, and we’re gutted for him and from our point of view because we were hoping he would have a strong finish to the season.

“Ross Forbes has severe knee bruising and he’s got to rest for at least two months.

“(That’s) Two major players for us who will be missing for a significant period of time.”

Duffy’s side and Queen of the South both have the chance to move into the top four in a fixture card which is reduced by Irn-Bru Cup ties, but Morton will be without Lee Kilday, Jamie McGowan, Robert Thomson at Palmerston as well as Forbes and Quitongo.

Myles Hippolyte could make his St Mirren debut against former club Livingston as the leaders bid to extend the gap to 17 points.

The wide player has not featured in 2018 before or after his move from Falkirk but has added to the options of Jack Ross as the Buddies visit their nearest challengers in the table.

Saints were given a further boost this week when Ross reiterated his commitment to the club following talks with Barnsley, who have since appointed Jose Morais as their new boss.

Falkirk can move nine points clear of second-bottom Dumbarton if they win at Brechin, who they beat 3-1 in their most recent league game.