ALAN ARCHIBALD is confident Christie Elliott will return to action in time to aid Partick Thistle's push up the Premiership table.

The forward has not played for the Jags since the 2-0 win at Tannadice in February, and has been recovering from a broken hand and a groin problem.

Thistle are back in action a week today when they travel to Ross County as they look to take a huge step towards retaining their top-flight status for another season.

And boss Archibald hopes Elliott will be able to play his part in the final few games and round off a solid campaign on a high note.

He said: "Christie has been back running this week and, hopefully, he will be training next week. It is another body to add to the squad.

"It is frustrating for any player who is injured, and Christie is no different. He played well in a couple of games at left-back, and further forward, and then broke a hand.

"He had been playing with a groin problem as well. When he broke his hand, it gave us a chance to get that seen to.

"We don't think he needs surgery, so he has been doing a bit of rehab and, hopefully, he is almost ready to come back in and play now."

While the return of Elliott will give Archibald another option for the post-split fixture schedule, the Jags boss has ruled out a comeback for defender Dan Seaborne.

The 28-year-old last turned out for the Jags in the 3-1 home defeat to County, and is continuing his recovery from an ankle injury.

Thistle have kept four clean sheets in their last five games as Conrad Balatoni and Frederic Frans have made the most of their chance to impress, and Archibald will not force Seaborne back into action before he is ready.

He said: "Dan's rehab was always going to take him to near the end of the season, so we didn't want to rush him back. The worst thing you can do with an injury is hurry players back and they return before they are ready.

"If you have a game coming up, players will want to get themselves back. But we wrote him off and we will just focus on getting him ready for the start of next season.

"Conrad and Freddie have been excellent and we have got Ben Richards-Everton there as well, so we have a bit of cover. We would rather have them all back.

"But the defence has been outstanding in recent weeks, and the rest of the team have played a big part in our record as well.

"There has been a bit of consistency of selection recently, and we have had the same back four for a few weeks now. It is a massive difference from when we were on that horrible run and there were a couple of changes a week."

After continuing their impressive recent run with a 2-0 win over Motherwell last weekend, Thistle have a free weekend ahead of the final five-game shoot-out.

The Jags moved up to eighth thanks to that crucial Firhill triumph, and are now seven points clear of the Steelmen at the foot of the standings.

Archibald said: "There was a lot of pressure on us in the Motherwell game, but we got a great reaction from the players.

"It is disappointing to halt the momentum but, as with every break, it gives the boys a chance to recover and rest up.

"You always find at this time of year that one or two are playing with knocks, so it gives them a chance to build themselves up again."