Partick Thistle vs Morton preview - O'Donnell a doubt

First Division leaders Partick Thistle have Stephen O'Donnell in the doubtful category for the visit of Morton.

The defender has an ankle injury as Thistle look for win for the ninth time this season at their Firhill fortress.

Goalkeeper Scott Fox is close to a return after six weeks out with a thigh strain, however, manager Jackie McNamara is likely to keep short-term signing Graeme Smith in goal.

The Greenock side sit just three points behind the Jags, with McNamara looking for another resolute display from his men.

"We had to battle to the end to beat Raith Rovers and we will need to dig in again against Morton," he said.

"They beat us at their place when they scored from set-pieces and we need to defend them better this time."M

Morton are in good shape after manager Allan Moore gave Kyle Wilkie, Tony Wallace, Peter MacDonald and Archie Campbell some match practice after injury at the weekend in a friendly against junior side Pollok.

The quartet are included for the trip to Firhill, with Kevin Rutkiewicz and Steven Stirling the only absentees for the Greenock men.

The importance of the game is not lost on Moore.

He said: "A win pulls us level and really announces that we are title challengers. That is our aim and we have experienced players who will enjoy a game like this.

"We scored six against Turriff in the Scottish Cup last Monday but we can improve on that performance.

"We will need to if we are to win this game."