Partick Thistle’s Stuart Bannigan is hoping to back to his best for the Firhill side’s Premiership curtain-raiser against Hibs at Easter Road as he steps up his recovery from long-term injury.

The midfielder has been out of action for 16 months after twisting his knee in a match against Hearts at Tynecastle, and he is hoping that he can make his return to full fitness on his return to the capital.

Bannigan is delighted to have been able to finally get out on the pitch again in some pre-season friendlies, and he has been encouraged by the way his knee has stood up to that test so far.

Now he can’t wait to experience the feeling of pulling that Thistle jersey on once more for competitive action, the goal he has been working arduously towards in his long months of rehab.

“I’m hoping I can be back to my best by the start of the season,” Bannigan said. “If it’s not the League Cup games, then hopefully the first league game, because I know the manager won’t put me in if I’m not ready.

“I have to be performing, I won’t get a game just because I’m back from a bad injury and was good a couple of years ago. I need to go and prove it now with the competition in the team.

“It’s taken a wee bit of time, but I’ve not had any breakdowns yet - touch wood - and I’ve played in a couple of closed doors games.

“I’m building up slowly, but it seems to be coming back week after week, so all I need now is games and it will be good to get another couple under my belt down at our training camp in England.

“It was a strange feeling being back playing in a game after being out so long. You do forget all the wee ins and outs of what you are supposed to be doing, and with it being only bounce matches it isn’t quite the same intensity that a normal match would be.

“So, I’m looking forward to having a real match in the coming weeks, and these are all building towards that.

“There's no psychological barrier going into tackles or anything like that, and I haven’t had any sharp pains at all.

“It is in the back of your mind that you have to make sure that it is strong enough, and that just comes with game-time, so the more I can get then I’ll be more confident in the knee.

“It’s just about believing that everything is fine, and believing in myself, so that’s what I’ve been doing.

“I feel like I’m back into it now. I’m training every day and feeling good. It’s all about the players trusting you as well, because if they know that you’re feeling fine and ready to go then they’ll trust you to give you the ball.

“It will just be a great feeling to be out there playing for Thistle again in a competitive environment, and by the time the Hibs game comes around, hopefully I will be back to my top level.”

Bannigan knows however that no matter what shape he is in come the start of the season, he may have a job on his hands just to get into the Thistle team again.

Despite his long-term lay-off, the middle of the park is an area where Thistle have continued to look strong, with signings such as Ryan Edwards and Adam Barton helping them to absorb the absence of one of their most influential players.

“The boys that have come in have been fantastic,” he said. “Barts stepped in and did a great job and Ryan was up there for our player of the year. And don’t forget our captain (Abdul Osman) plays in there too.

“So, I know that it’s going to be a challenge for me to get back in, but I’m naturally competitive and that’s my aim. I want to push for a starting place as soon as I can."