Partick vs Falkirk preview - Trio of absentees for Thistle

Posted Tuesday, April 05, 2011 by PA

Partick will be missing three players for the visit of Falkirk.

Paul Paton, Bryan Hodge and Ryan MacBeth are all sidelined through injury, but midfielder Paul Cairney looks set to return from his lay-off.

Striker Kris Doolan is carrying a knock but should be available.

Manager Ian Maxwell is urging his players to finish the season on a high.

"We want to finish the season as high up the table as we can and whilst Falkirk are ahead of us just now we have to play them three times before the end of the season," he said.

"It is only our second league game of the season against each other but we know one another well through a league game and three different cup ties."

Falkirk's Tam Scobbie is a major doubt for the trip after injuring a rib.

The defender picked sustained the injury in the 2-2 draw at Morton.

Brian McLean will also miss out through suspension, but front man Carl Finnigan is available after his ban.

The Bairns need a win to reignite their title hopes after a poor run of form.

Boss Steven Pressley said: "For the first 15 to 20 minutes on Saturday we were not in the game but we came through that and got into things and then played some good stuff.

"The games between us and Thistle have been really tight this season and this one will be no different."M