ALAN ARCHIBALD has a hat-trick of fitness concerns ahead of Partick Thistle's crucial Premiership clash with St Johnstone this weekend.

The Jags boss will be without forward Christie Elliott for a couple of weeks as he recovers from a broken hand while defensive duo Callum Booth and Dan Seaborne also remain on the Firhill treatment table.

Elliott has been a regular feature of the Thistle line-up this season but missed the defeat to Ross County on Saturday after being crocked last week.

His absence will be felt by boss Archibald following the red card to Kallum Higginbotham in the Staggies loss that leaves with limited options in the final third.

At the other end of the field, Seaborne and Booth are also struggling to be fit for the Saints showdown as the Jags look to ease their relegation fears this term.

Archibald said: "We are missing Christie so it leaves us short in that area. He hurt his hand in training last week and has got a fracture.

"He has been carrying a stomach complaint as well. I think he will be out for a couple of weeks with the hand injury.

"Hopefully that will give him a chance to clear the stomach problem up. He is going back to see the specialist but he will definitely miss the game on Saturday.

"Callum has been carrying a knock for the last few weeks, it is a problem between his hamstring and his knee and he has been struggling to move properly.

"He will be with the physio this week and then we will see where he is. We are a bit low on numbers so we are keen to get him back. We just need to take it day by day.

"Dan was suspended on Saturday but he has got a problem with his ankle. He had it at the start of the season and then in flared up again a few weeks ago, which was frustrating for him.

"He came back for the County game and broke down again the Tuesday after that. That is why he missed the United game.

"We don't want to bring him back if he is not right."

After seeing a number of key players fall out of contention through injury, Archibald was then deprived of another on Saturday as Higginbotham saw red in the crunch County clash.

The winger's moment of madness cost him dear as he was ordered off for kicking out at Michael Gardyne as his frustrating campaign - one that has been blighted by injury and inconsistent form - continued in the Highlands.

Archibald said: "We spoke about it after the game and Kallum knows we are disappointed, as is he. "He let himself down and he let his team-mates down. He apologised right away.

"He came back in against United and done really well and we were hoping to see the best of him again.

"He was doing fine on Saturday as well, it wasn't a frustrating game for him.

"The biggest disappointment is that we are losing him for a couple of games. We thought the United game was going to kick-start him, he was involved in both the goals that day.

"He is a big player for us. He will miss two games and then we have got the international break so he will be out for a few weeks."