SATURDAYS just haven't been the same for Gary Fraser recently.

Now he is determined to make up for lost time as he looks to win back his place in the Partick Thistle midfield.

Fraser has spent several weeks on the sidelines after surgery to cure a knee problem he had been carrying for some time - although it had not affected his form for the Jags.

He returned to the Thistle squad for the Premiership clash with Hamilton Accies on Saturday and was joined by Sean Welsh and Kallum Higginbotham as boss Alan Archibald got a triple injury boost.

While his team-mates took to the field, Fraser had to spend the afternoon on the bench beside his manager.

But he is eager to get back on the pitch as soon as possible and make his mark again.

Fraser said: "From a personal point of view it was great to be back involved again. But I was really pleased to see Sean back on the pitch after such a long time out. It was brilliant to see him involved again.

"I need to focus on myself and work hard to try to get back in the team now.

"It has been terrible being out. I was waking up on a Saturday morning gutted because I couldn't go and play.

"I am pleased to be back training and on the bench but I want to be starting games.

"I have been to every game to watch the boys. I wanted to be involved.

"Everything is feeling good and I am just working on my fitness now so in a couple of weeks I will be back to normal."

Fraser may have been frustrated at not getting on the park but that was nothing like the disappointment felt by the whole squad at the final outcome at New Douglas Park.

Tony Andreu struck with the last kick of the ball to deny Thistle a memorable comeback win and leave them eight points off the top six.

Fraser said: "The boys did well to come back from 2-0 down and go 3-2 up and when they scored in the last minute it was hard to take. That's football. We have another game on Saturday against St Mirren and hopefully we can put it right.

"It has happened to us a few times but we are working on it and it will improve throughout the season and we will start to see out games.

"We work on it a lot and we work on our defending so hopefully it will come right.

"It is fine doing it Monday to Friday, it is all practice.

"But the real test comes on a Saturday and we are determined to do it on the pitch."

It was an eventful day all round for Fraser, who rushed to the aid of a young fan before the action even got underway at New Douglas Park.

And the 20-year-old was only too happy to make a mends for an errant effort during the ­pre-match build-up as he was given a warm reception by the travelling support.

Fraser said: "I was shooting during the warm-up and there was a wee boy walking up the stairs behind the goals.

"The ball hit him on the back of the head so I went and got a signed strip and gave it to him to say sorry.

"It was my shirt with my name and number and I signed it for him. Thankfully he was okay. The fans have always been brilliant with me and I have to thank them for that."