Partick Thistle vs Raith Rovers preview - O'Donnell gives Thistle boost

Partick full-back Stephen O'Donnell returned to training on Friday after a knock and he is expected to start against visitors Raith.

The Jags, who welcome back Paul Paton from suspension and miss Sean Welsh through an ankle injury, are going for league win number eight in a row at home.

Manager Jackie McNamara said: "We have been terrific at home and it would be great to keep that going.

"It will not be easy as Raith showed against Morton last weekend that they can create chances and score goals so we need to be on our guard.

"We got an injury-time goal at their place to draw and whilst it was deserved, I am sure they will still be upset by it."

Raith have mixed news on the injury front.

Winger Grant Anderson is over the knock he took last week against Morton and will play, but Simon Mensing remains out.

It had been hoped that Mensing's hamstring injury would have cleared up in time for the Firhill meeting, yet he has been ruled out.

Kirkcaldy manager Grant Murray, who will need to choose between fit-again David McGurn and Ross Laidlaw for goalkeeping duty, said: "Thistle are a strong side - especially at home - as we learnt to our cost in the Ramsdens Cup earlier in the season.

"We learnt from that and came within seconds of beating them at our place so we are looking forward to this game."