Partick Thistle welcome Ryan MacBeth and Simon Donnelly back for trip to Stirling Albion

Mar 22 2011

Ryan MacBeth

RYAN MacBETH returns to the Partick Thistle squad for tonight's first division clash with Stirling Albion following a month on loan at Clyde.

Jags boss Ian McCall has added the 19-year-old midfielder plus teenage striker Jordan McGrotty to his injury-ravaged squad for the meeting with bottom side Binos.

MacBeth, pictured, hasn't featured for the Jags since the opening league game of the seaosn - a 4-0 defeat at Raith Rovers - after which his season was curtailed by a stomach injury.

Clyde took the attacking midfielder on loan last month and MacBeth made five appearances for the Bully Wee before returning to Firhill last week.

Tonight McCall is once again without injured midfield duo Paul Cairney and Bryan Hodge but on-loan Hearts ace Ryan McGowan also misses out as he is on international duty with Australia.

Thistle are further weakened by the absence of defenders Paul Paton - who begins a two-match suspension - and Willie Kinniburgh who is still struggling with a thigh injury.

On a plus note experienced striker Simon Donnelly has recovered from a groin strain and is set to take his place on the bench after three weeks out.

The Jags are desperate for the three points tonight after losing to second bottom Cowdenbeath on Saturday.

They stormed to their best victory of the season the last time the two sides met - a 6-1 Firhill thrashing which cost John O'Neill his job two months ago. And boss McCall is eager to ease any lingering relegation fears with another three points.

Ex-Jags defender Martyn Corrigan is available for Stirling after the club appealed his red card on Saturday. But Jocky Scott will be without the injured Callum Reidford and defender Greig McDonald while striker Paul McHale is suspended.

Students armed with a valid matriculation card will gain entry to Forthbank for s1 for tonight's match which kicks off at 7.45pm.