THE only way is up for Partick Thistle as they face a tricky trip north to Inverness.

That was the message from manager Alan Archibald, who is plotting a course for the top six this season.

The Jags are currently ninth in the SPFL Premiership, five points adrift of Allan Johnston's Kilmarnock, who occupy the last spot in the top half.

While a victory over Caley Thistle tomorrow would not be enough to make Thistle move up a spot, it would potentially bring them to within one point of Dundee and St Johnstone.

And with Saints and Killie set to face-off against one another, Archibald is keen to get in among the pack.

He said: "It was disappointing last week as we wanted to close that gap between us and the teams immediately above us. It was still a good point against Kilmarnock and a repeat of that, or a win, will obviously bring us nearer to the pack.

"We don't want the margin between us to be any bigger. It is coming to that time of year where everyone is cutting each other's throats, so it's important we take care of our own job and, equally, make sure the teams below us don't make up any ground."

Becoming the first team to defeat John Hughes' lot on their patch this season is a tough ask for any team.

However, Archibald and his team have cause for optimism. Back on September 13 the Jags ran out 3-1 winners at Firhill when the two teams last went head-to-head, inflicting only one of three league defeats on the Highlanders this season.

And even the though the Thistle manager is sure his team will face a team flying high as a result of their lofty perch in second place, he says his own team have what it takes to bring them back down to earth with a bump.

Archibald said: "Performances have been good for us recently and any game we have lost has just been by the odd goal.

"We are confident going into the match, especially because we beat Inverness at home earlier on in the season. It was a very tough, entertaining game and hopefully we can take inspiration from that and get another win.

"We are expecting to face a team full of confidence. The last time we played them it was the same, but it will be even harder up there as they haven't lost at home yet.

"It will be a tough challenge, but like I said, the last time it was two entertaining teams going together who created a host of chances and goals. I'd imagine it will be a similar type of game tomorrow."

It is a mixed bag for Thistle this weekend on the injury front, with the Firhill boss revealing: "Frederic Frans is still struggling a bit so we probably won't have him back.

"We will give him every opportunity but it's a hamstring problem and we don't want to push him. Jake Carroll picked up a knock last week, which means he's definitely out.

"On the flip side, we have Nathan Eccleston and Jordan McMillan back in the squad, which hopefully will give us the boost we need to get the win."