CHRISTIE ELLIOTT is sure he can become a Firhill star this season - thanks to James McFadden.

The forward is likely to be handed a starting berth for the clash with Motherwell this afternoon after Kallum Higginbotham was ruled out of action with a knee injury.

After a frustrating start to the campaign that has seen him feature mainly from the bench, it is a chance for Elliott to prove his worth to boss Alan Archibald.

McFadden is no longer training with the Jags after agreeing a move to St Johnstone this week, but Elliott admits the former Scotland hero has made a lasting impression on him.

The striker said: "I loved training with James. I spoke to him about what things I could improve on and he kept telling me to be confident and get on the ball.

"He was really helpful and he would stay behind doing a bit of shooting which was really good for me. He is a bit of a role model as well for me.

"When I was younger, I used to watch him playing in the Premier League.

"The stuff he did is the kind of stuff I want to do so he was really good for me.

"His quality is brilliant. When he first came back, his match fitness wasn't that high but some of his touch and skills...he would nutmeg about three players a session.

"He has still got it and I think he will do really well for St Johnstone."

While the loss of Higginbotham is a huge blow to Thistle, it is the chance that Elliott has been waiting for as he bids to hold down a regular first team spot this term.

The 23-year-old has big boots to fill while the Jags' talisman spends time on the sidelines but the forward is confident he can repay Archibald's faith in him.

He said: "This is a chance for me to get my season up and running. Hopefully, I can get a good run in the team now, show how good I really am and stay in the team.

"I couldn't have any complaints about not getting into the side with the way Kallum has been playing.

"All I can do, is keep giving 100 per cent and wait for that chance to come.

"I spoke to the gaffer at the start of the season and asked him what I needed to do to get into the side.

He went over everything and I am trying to work on those things."

There would be no better time than the present for Elliott to make his mark for Thistle as they look to get back to winning ways at Firhill this afternoon.

The Jags are ninth after losing 3-0 to Kilmarnock last weekend and Elliott is determined to pile the pressure on Well boss Stuart McCall after their 4-0 drubbing by Hamilton.

Elliott said: "Motherwell had a defeat as well so hopefully their confidence is lower than ours."