Partick v Raith - Trio missing for Thistle

Posted Monday, April 19, 2010 by PA

Partick will be without a trio of players as they look to end their poor run of form when Raith visit Glasgow.

Alan Archibald and Liam Buchanan are both unavailable through injury, while midfielder Stephen McKeown will also not feature after being released by the club.

Firhill manager Ian McCall needs to find a way of getting his side hitting the target again and he said: "I need to freshen things up and find a way of scoring as our recent record is poor.

"It has been going on that long it has to be a mental problem and it will be sorted for next season.

"It would be great if we could start sorting it against a Raith Rovers side that will be fighting for everything."

Raith have a doubt over Laurie Ellis.

Ellis was forced off after just half an hour of Saturday`s 3-0 defeat at Queen of the South, while fellow defenders Craig Wilson and Mark Campbell are already ruled out through injury.

On-loan Hearts defender David Armstrong is also doubtful through injury, but striker Dene Shields could be in line for a starting place after returning as a substitute at the weekend.

Rovers need to pick themselves up from the 3-0 defeats by Airdrie and Queen of the South that has seen them dragged into the relegation play-off scrap.

Manger John McGlynn said: "We are constantly changing our back four because of injuries and it does not help. We have to get the points at Firhill that will help us secure First Division football."