ISAAC OSBOURNE has put his Firhill future on the back burner as he focuses on overcoming his injury nightmare and returning to full fitness.

The Partick Thistle star has been ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up an ankle injury in the abandoned Premiership clash with St Johnstone in November.

After penning a one-year deal with the Jags in the summer, the former Aberdeen midfielder quickly became an integral part of Alan Archibald's plans and a firm favourite with fans.

Osbourne is out of contract at the end of the campaign and knows he has plenty to think about before deciding where he will make his return to action next term.

He said: "I am looking towards next season. Hopefully, I can get myself ready for pre-season.

"I was given a bit of hope initially when we thought it would just be three months but it is going to be a lot longer than that. Next season is what I am focused on now.

"I am out of contract in the summer and we will see what happens. The club obviously has to think about what is best for them.

"I am injured and while it would be nice to be sorted out, the club and the manager has a lot to think about. It will all get sorted.

"I have just got to concentrate on getting myself fit and hopefully everything else will sort itself out. I am not too worried about it just now.

"I am focused on getting myself fully fit and the contract situation will get sorted in due course."

Osbourne's injury-enforced absence is a huge blow to Thistle as they bid to beat the drop this term and preserve their Premiership place.

The Jags' frustration at losing one of their key men was compounded when the Saints clash was called off just minutes after he left the field due to a waterlogged Firhill pitch.

Osbourne said: "It doesn't matter if it happens in training or in a match, I am just upset about getting injured. It is gutting to be out for the season.

"I am not sure if the conditions played a part. I caught my foot in the ground, but I don't know if the pitch had anything to do with it.

"It was disappointing for it to happen and the game gets called off a couple of minutes later.

"It is a big blow for myself. I want to be there to help the boys out.

"I felt I was doing well and settled in well. I have spent a lot of time watching the games back and seeing where I could improve.

"I was looking forward to the rest of the season. For the injury to come just now is hard to take."

With Osbourne now sidelined for the remainder of the campaign, Thistle will have to beat the drop without the services of one of their most influential stars.

But the midfielder has backed his Jags team-mates to avoid the relegation play-off places as they gear up for Saturday's visit of Kilmarnock.

He said: "We have been playing well but we need to go on a bit of a run and pick up a good amount of points to get away from eleventh place.

"Lyle Taylor has come in and looked really good and has added to having Dools, who I think has done a great job.

"Hopefully we will get a few more victories. We should have finished teams off earlier in the season so hopefully we can start doing that soon."