Partick Thistle vs Hamilton FC preview - Murray missing for Thistle

Posted Tuesday, February 19, 2013 by PA

Second-placed Partick will be without Hugh Murray against Hamilton after the midfielder was sent off in the 2-2 draw with leaders Morton on Saturday.

Striker Steven Craig is a doubt after he sustained a leg injury at Cappielow with interim manager Alan Archibald looking for his side to make a statement as they play the first of three games in hand over the Greenock side.

Archibald said: "I am keeping my thinking straightforward and that is if we win our games in hand we go back to the top of the table.

"It is a difficult start against a Hamilton side that have beaten us twice this season, but if I get the same effort I got on Saturday then we will not be far away."

Hamilton have a doubt over Andy Ryan for the clash after the striker suffered an ankle injury in training.

The New Douglas Park side add Stephen Hendrie to the squad after the full-back recovered from a slight leg strain he sustained at a Scotland Under-19 training camp.

Manager Billy Reid said: "We can go to Firhill with some confidence after winning twice against Thistle this season. Both of those wins were achieved through a lot of hard work from players who had to stand tall during periods of Thistle pressure.

"Thistle need the points to close in on Morton, so we will need those qualities to be on display again. If we can keep Thistle out we have good strikers that can get us goals."