Jags’ early injury crisis ‘massive concern’

Alan Archibald’s depleted squad is cause for “massive concern” ahead of Partick Thistle’s Betfred Cup tie against St Mirren tomorrow.

Due to injuries the Jags boss could not fill the bench for the Group H game at Livingston last weekend, where the Premiership side lost 3-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

Archibald said: “We have five key players out. Two, Mustapha Dumbuya and Gary Fraser, are long term.

“Hopefully we will get one of the others back, Callum Booth, Abdul Osman and Niall Keown.

“It is a massive concern. I was a big fan of the Betfred Cup when it came in. It beat meaningless friendlies but, as a manager, when you have five injuries it can really affect your team selection.

“It did do last week when we had one youngster starting the game and four on the bench.

“That is all we have got at the moment. I am looking to bring three, maybe four, in.”