Partick boss looking for maturity
Partick Thistle can field on-loan striker Steven Craig against their Cove Rangers visitors after Ross County agreed to a request from the Firhill club, however temporary winger Paul Slane will miss out at Celtic's request.
Back up goalkeeper Ryan Scully is a major doubt after suffering from a mild concussion in a midweek reserve game with youngster James Wightman set to take his place on the bench.
Thistle manager Jackie McNamara said: ``This is not a tie we can treat lightly so I will be sending out our strongest side. We do not know too much about Cove but we know they are top of the Highland League and command respect.''
``We struggled a year ago against Culter so this will be an opportunity to show that we have matured.''
Cove Rangers are without on-loan full-back Roy McBain, who is cup-tied after playing for Peterhead earlier in the competition.
Manager Kevin Tindall will finalise his side following late checks on Jamie Beagrie and Paul Emslie with the Highland League table-toppers looking to avoid any rustiness after their match against Inverurie last Saturday was postponed.
Tindall said: ``The start to this game could be crucial as we have to ensure we are ready as Thistle will come out looking to put things to bed early.
``They will pass the ball around us if we let them so we have to stand strong and play ourselves into the game to have a chance of doing anything.''M