Match Preview
Tomorrow we start the second quarter of the league campaign with our first visit of the season to East End Park to face the First Division’s in-form side Dunfermline Athletic. Dunfermline’s form during the month of September was sufficient to earn their manager Jim McIntyre the Manager of the Month award.
The incentive, however, for Thistle tomorrow is obvious. Victory against The Pars would take Thistle back above Dunfermline and into 3rd spot in an ultra competitive First Division.
Recording a victory at East End Park will be no easy task and following the disappointment of our Challenge Cup defeat at the hands of Airdrie United last weekend the coaching staff have had much to ponder over the course of the week. After this morning’s training session Assistant Manager Gerry Britton was able to bring www.ptfc.co.uk bang up to date with the latest team news.
“Jonny Tuffey is back after being away with Northern Ireland last weekend and Gary Harkins is back from suspension. Having both those players back is a big boost for us. In addition to Alan Archibald though we have another couple of players that will miss out tomorrow because of injury. Mark Roberts picked up a hamstring injury in training and he’ll miss the trip to Dunfermline because of that. As will Ryan McStay who is struggling with a knee injury.”
“Liam Buchanan is again in the squad. He had another good week training and he is getting closer and closer to full match fitness again.”
Dunfermline meantime are set to be without defender Scott Wilson for at least the next few weeks while striker Ross Campbell’s current loan spell at Dunfermline from SPL Hibernian will finish after tomorrow’s game.
