Rowson boost for Thistle

Posted Saturday, September 11, 2010 by PA

David Rowson has been passed fit for Partick's home game against Stirling.

Rowson is included after shaking off a training ground injury, and player-assistant manager Ian Maxwell is also added to the squad as Willie Kinniburgh remains out with a hamstring problem.

John Robertson has been ruled out by injury and captain Alan Archibald is unlikely to be risked having just come through his first hour of football in six months in midweek.

Thistle are looking to build on the positive feeling that reaching the ALBA Challenge Cup semi-finals has given everyone at Firhill by seeing off Albion.

Maxwell said: "The win over Ayr last week was great and we will be looking to add another three points to our total to get us moving upwards in the league now."

Albion look set to give summer signing Callum Reidford his debut.

First-choice goalkeeper Scott Christie is struggling with illness so Reidford is in line to start.

Defenders Brian Allison and Greig MacDonald have been ruled out of the defence through injury for a game manager John O'Neill is keen to take all three points from.

O'Neill said: "This is a big game for both clubs as three points could actually lift us over Partick and they will not want that to happen.

"We have worked hard during the two weeks off, especially with our defenders as the Dunfermline game where we lost five goals was really disappointing. Coming away from Firhill with a clean sheet would be a real bonus for us.