MORTON midfield powerhouse Allan Jenkins is hoping he can prove his fitness in time for the match against Ayr at Cappielow on Boxing Day.

The 29-year-old has been out since the Dundee game on 17 October when he suffered damage to a medial ligament, but he is eager to get back in the fray.

He said: "I was back in with the boys this week. I was told it would be eight weeks when I got injured and I'm bang on schedule. It was eight weeks last Saturday.

"I've been doing straight running and have had no pain. I've been gradually getting involved with a wee touch of the ball. My aim is to be in contention for the Ayr game.

"I don't know if we'll have a bounce game next week, but if we do I hope to be involved. Whether that happens or not, we'll need to wait and see.

"But I had a good pre-season and, while I've been out for eight weeks, I haven't been sitting on my backside. I've been running for four weeks, keeping myself ticking over." Jenkins can see the difference in training under new management duo James Grady and Allan McManus and he said: "The boys can't speak highly enough of them. Results have been a bit disappointing but the performances have improved.

"We're looking to pass the ball more and I'm sure the fans would rather see that than lumping it forward as we were criticised for in the past, often quite rightly." Of course, there is the wee matter of a Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Cappielow against Celtic on 9 January and Jenkins would love to be involved by the time that comes round. "I was sitting watching the draw and when I saw Celtic coming out I could feel my knee getting a bit better," he joked.

"I played against them when I was at Stranraer, in the cup, and at Gretna of course. Ideally I'd like to get as much of a game as I can before then.

"But if the boys beat Dundee and Ayr the best I can hope for is maybe to warm the bench." Gradually the injury situation is clearing at Cappielow, with Stevie Masterton, Neil MacFarlane and Dominic Shimmin all playing in a bounce game yesterday against Rangers.