PARTICK THISTLE will go up against the most daunting home record in the First Division without talismanic Alan Archibald, who is suspended.

Skipper Archie has been outstanding over the last two months and none more so than during last week's heroic Scottish Cup quarter-final draw with Rangers.

But Jags No.2 Gerry Britton rightly points to Thistle's improving form and fine recent displays against Gers and St Johnstone in the league as proof that Ian McCall's side are ready to meet the challenge posed by a trip to leaders, Hamilton.

Not since a shock Scottish League Challenge Cup defeat by Ayr United on August 14 have Hamilton Accies tasted defeat at New Douglas Park.

Unbeaten in the league, Billy Reid's side have only conceded three goals at home.

But Britton said: "Losing Archie to suspension is a hammer blow because he has been absolutely top class over the last two months or so.

"His consistency has been immense and his organisational skills at the back have tightened things up for us as a unit "So there is no point in saying anything else than that he will be a major loss. But we have options. Willie Kinniburgh is a more than able deputy while Gary Harkins, Simon Storey and Marc Twaddle can all play at centre-back if required.

"But it is not the ideal time to be losing your most influential defender and captain going to the league leaders."

Indeed, the menace of Accies' triple-pronged attack of Richard Offiong, David Graham and Mark Gilhaney can't be underestimated.

It would seem unlikely that Gary Harkins will be removed from the midfield beat he has been patrolling so impressively.

Thus, the most likely re-jigging would see Kinniburgh join John Robertson in the central pairing.

If McCall - who was unwell midweek with a bug but is determined to make the game - decides to go with flat back four that served so well at Ibrox, that would see Storey and Twaddle on right and left-back duties.

Given the pace and width employed by Accies in attack - and the power of Offiong through the middle - it would seem sensible to employ the extra defensive insurance of the four-man backline rather than Corky's favoured three-man rearguard he employs for league business.

Up front, Thistle will continue to miss groin strain victim Liam Buchanan, but at last the poacher is making progress on his comeback trail and will feature again this term.

Midfielder Scott Chaplain is still a doubt with the hamstring strain that sidelined him from the impressive draw at St Johnstone last week.

But Britton admits that Thistle must use an impressive showing at New Douglas Park to lay down a marker for next season.

The Firhill assistant boss said: "Hamilton have real quality throughout their team and of course, they will be smarting at the defeat we handed them at Firhill, the last time the two sides met.

He added: "They are five games away from the First Division title so they will be itching to get at us.

"But we have improved as a team over recent months and the draw at Ibrox proved to the boys that if they play to their best then they can compete with the best. Tomorrow at Accies, nothing less than that will do."

In that respect, Thistle will need another big game from midfield warhorse David Rowson, who will need to strangle Accies possession at source and stop Hamilton skipper Alex Neil pulling the strings for Billy Reid's side.

Indeed, in more ways than one, this is a game with several interesting match-ups but it is the Rowser versus Neil one that may prove pivotal.

Accies boss Billy Reid has warned his side that they can't afford to let their minds wander tomorrow.

The Accies boss said: "We have five games left and a six-point advantage over Dundee and at this stage it is imperative that all we focus on is the next game.

"The fact that Thistle handed out arguably our heaviest league defeat this season at Firhill the last time we met is a help in that respect.

"Aside from Tom Parratt, who is injured, we are at full strength. So we have a point to prove and a proud unbeaten league record at home to defend."