Ross County vs Partick Thistle preview - Kettlewell returns for County

Posted Saturday, September 10, 2011 by PA

Ross County begin a run of three home games when they host Partick Thistle and the Dingwall side welcome back Stuart Kettlewell.

The midfielder has missed the last two games through suspension but returns to take on a side County have not beaten in nine attempts.

Full-back Scott Morrison will miss out through a stomach strain and winger Iain Vigurs is a doubt after taking a knock in training.

Manager Derek Adams' resources have been reduced further as defender Darren McCormack has been released and striker Garry Wood has joined Peterhead on loan.

Adams said: "We have Thistle and then Livingston up here before facing Celtic in the Scottish Communities League Cup and it would be great to get that run of games off to great start with a win."

Partick travel north with only defender Willie Kinniburgh missing from manager Jackie McNamara's squad after a recent hip operation.

Thistle won in the league for the first time this season in their last outing against Queen of the South and McNamara is looking for his men to build on that.

He said: "We did not play that well in that game but we got a win and that was what mattered on the day."

"We can take confidence from that up to Dingwall and look to grab another three points, although we will need to play better as County have built up a really decent squad and are one of the favourites for promotion. We will give it our best shot and see where that takes us."