ALAN ARCHIBALD hopes Partick Thistle can put daylight between themselves and one of their potential bottom six rivals when they face Kilmarnock tomorrow afternoon.

The Jags crashed back down to earth with a bump last weekend as their dream start to the campaign came to an end with a 3-0 loss to Aberdeen at Firhill.

Despite the Dons defeat, Thistle have enjoyed a better opening few weeks than many of their established top flight foes.

Kilmarnock have struggled to find their form under new boss Allan Johnston so far and have taken just two points from their six Premiership outings.

Victory this weeked could move Archibald's side back into the top half of the table but the Jags boss is taking nothing for granted.

He said: "I am always wary of people saying it is a good time to get them. It will take time for Allan to get his mark on the team.

"He did that with Queen of the South last year. It was probably easier there because he was already around the club and working there.

"It will take time to get them playing the way he wants and the players in. I have seen them a couple of times and I thought they were unlucky.

"By all accounts, they were the better team against Inverness last week. They were similar to ourselves and lost bad goal. They were the better team, we weren't the better team.

"Everyone knows the teams that are probably going to be around that area of the league. Everyone has got us being in the bottom six with Kilmarnock and other teams round about there.

"It is a good chance to open up a bit of space. It is very early on, as we know."

Archibald has a full squad to choose from for the Killie clash, with defender Conrad Balatoni fit to return to action after he missed the Dons defeat last weekend.

In his absence, Mexican star Gabriel Piccolo endured a Premiership bow to forget as he struggled to cope with the Reds attack.

Thistle's starting line-up has remained virtually unchanged since their return to the top flight but Archibald is pleased with the options he has at his disposal to mix things up.

He said: "You always consider changes. Even when you win games you consider changes. You look at who you are playing against and things like that.

"We have got scope to change, we have got boys there that can come in and play.

"They have all trained well. It is a very good group we have got. They all support each other as well. It is not like, 'he is rubbish' or, 'he is not doing well, can I get a game?' They are a good bunch and they look to help each other out.

"They are always chapping the door. They were chapping the door when we were winning, that is the kind of players we have got. I like that. It is a good problem to have. You want players that are hungry to go and play for you."

While Balatoni is in line for his Firhill return, fellow defender Jordan McMillan might have to wait longer to take to the field once again.

The former Rangers and Dunfermline star continued his comeback from injury as he turned out for the Jags' second string against St Johnstone this week but will continue to be monitored.

Archibald said: "He played in the Under-20 game the other night. He got a niggle in training so we will see how he is."