MORTON manager Gus MacPherson revealed new frontman Jimmy Knowles's attitude helped land him a move to Cappielow after the English striker arrived on loan from Mansfield Town yesterday.

The 19-year-old striker linked up with his new team-mates at Parklea and comes to Cappielow after a successful loan spell at Notts County in the National League last season.

The Ton boss hopes Knowles can cause damage to Championship defences this season and he is confident the loanee can provide stiff competition to frontmen Robbie Muirhead and Gozie Ugwu.

He told the Tele: “I’m delighted to have been able to bring Jimmy in because we’ve been trying to strengthen the squad and to help get the numbers up and that’s been the key bit.

"We’ve got a small group and a good group at that but we’ve need to get bodies in that can help them as well.

“We’ve told him what to expect in coming up here, the nature of the Scottish Championship and the competition within our squad in particular. He was really up for it which speaks volumes of him.

“He wants to come and compete and hopefully he can go on and have the desired impact.

“When you have a background of scoring goals you’ve got to be challenged at the next level.

“He was out at the National League last season, which is a high standard, and he’s scored goals, so we’re hopeful that when he gets up to speed and used to how we want things done he can certainly have an impact.

“We’ve certainly been looking in the forward area for someone who can complement what we’ve already got in Gozie Ugwu and Robbie Muirhead up the top of the park.

“He’s already had a loan spell at Notts County and you’re always a bit concerned if it’s someone’s first loan, but in this case it’s Jimmy’s second time, so he comes in with a pedigree.

"He can play in a couple of positions and any player that we’re looking to try and bring in has got to be adaptable in that sense.

“Jimmy’s got that but we see him as an out-and-out striker and I hope that’s where he can have the most impact.

“We’ve had to be patient in waiting to get him in but I’m delighted to have finally got him through the door.

“He trained yesterday and he’s been introduced to the boys so that allows him as well as us to prepare for Saturday’s game against Queen of the South."

MacPherson has suggested that his business for the week may not be over just yet as he revealed that moves for a ‘couple’ of players inch closer ahead of this weekend’s match against the Doonhamers.

Despite being low in numbers, the Ton manager believes that his squad is already highly competitive.

He added: “We’re still looking for three of the four player that we were hoping to come in.

“We’re closer to a couple of those but again we’re not in a position to dictate the circumstances.

“We’ve just got to be patient and see what happens from here.

“There’s plenty of time to get business done and I understand that people can get a bit agitated if it looks like we aren’t bringing players in.

“We’ve already said on numerous occasions that albeit we’re low on numbers, we're already highly competitive.

“There’s competition for places even with the numbers as they currently stand.

“If we get the extra bodies in it will certainly make it a stronger environment.”