MORTON manager Jim McInally has said Premiership side Portsmouth must make an "exceptional" offer to prise highly-rated winger Jim McAlister away from Greenock.

Pompey were represented in the Cappielow stands as the 21-year-old starred in the Ton's weekend victory over Alloa - and their interest comes hot on the heels of previous interest from Championship side Plymouth.

But Mac said: "The first thing I would say is that Greenock Morton are not a selling club. Secondly that Jim McAlister is contracted with us until 2010, so it would take an exceptional offer to sign him.

"The other thing here is that Jim knows he still has plenty to learn in respect of his trade and, from having spoken to him, he believes there is no better place to do that than Cappielow."

Meanwhile, midfielder Scott McLaughlin is expected to return to the bench for Saturday's top-of-the-table clash with Stirling Albion after coming through a closed door match test on his damaged ankle ligaments.