GREENOCK MORTON have announced the signing of former Dundee United defender Gavin Gunning until January.

The 25-year-old was a free agent after being released by the Tannadice club following their relegation from the Premiership last season and has penned a short-term deal at Cappielow.

Centre-back Gunning made 21 appearances for United last season but couldn't help them avoid the drop.

Morton boss Jim Duffy told gmfc.net: “We have signed Gavin Gunning until January and I’m thrilled to have been able to bring him to the club.

“It wasn’t a priority – as I mentioned a few weeks ago we understand we need to look a little bit more in the forward areas, in terms of a goal threat – but with injuries to Ricki [Lamie], Conor [Pepper], Lee Kilday struggling and Mark [Russell] suspended, it forced our hand to go and see if we could add a player who would complement us.

“I think Gavin is a terrific player and it’s just unforeseen circumstances that he’d found himself out of the game, so I think that a player of his quality at 25 years of age coming to us is fantastic.

“He’s not had any game time recently and it will take him a couple of weeks. He’s been training with a non-league team down in Birmingham, but games are what it’s all about and it might take him a bit time.

“But he’s going to be in the squad for Saturday. We’ve brought him here to come and play and hopefully his experience and his knowledge will get him through the first couple of games and his fitness will come into play after that.”