PARTICK are waiting on the results of a scan to determine how long frontman Kallum Higginbotham will be out of action.

The Thistle attacker was forced off midway through Saturday's dismal 3-0 Premiership defeat to Kilmarnock with a knee injury.

Higginbotham would be a huge loss for Firhill manager Alan Archibald if he was to be ruled out for a prolonged period of time.

The 25-year-old winger has been one of the Jags' most influential players this season.

Thistle return to top-flight action this weekend with the visit of Motherwell and boss Archibald is hoping for some positive news.

He said: "Higgy has been for a scan and we will know the outcome in a couple of days.

"He's had a knee problem, or pain in that knee, for a while but he has trained and played fine up till now. He told us the pain came and went.

"But for some reason, he got it again on Saturday at half-time and he couldn't continue. It was strange.

"Higgy had not missed a training session or game with the injury so we don't know what the problem is. He is not the type to miss out if he does not have to, so we'll see what the scan comes back with and hopefully it is good news."

Higginbotham was not the only Jags star who didn't see out the game at Rugby Park.

Defender Dan Seaborne was also forced off early.

He suffered a nasty cut in a collision with Killie striker Josh Magennis but should be fit to play against Motherwell this weekend.

Archibald said: "Dan is OK but he has nine stitches in his eye and is a bit black and blue.

"He didn't train on Monday but hopefully he will do some work with the physio this week and he will be fine.

"His injury is similar to the last knock he got with us but a lot worse. The stitches are right above his eye.

"He couldn't see so there was no way he could continue.

"But he should be fine for the Motherwell game."

Having slumped to their fourth league defeat in seven outings, Thistle host Stuart McCall's side this weekend in urgent need of a spark to kick-start their season.

The Steelmen have also struggled in the opening weeks of the campaign and Archibald is determined to get back on track against the team one place below them in the Premiership standings.

He admitted: "Our form is very frustrating so far.

"It's something we need to get ourselves out of and put a few results together.

"It will be another tough game against Motherwell.

"They will also be hurting from the weekend, when they lost 4-0 at home to their local rivals Hamilton.

"So this match will see two teams coming off bad results from last Saturday.

"But we will have the home advantage and need to make that count."

Archibald added: "It does help that we will be at home.

"We've played our best stuff at Firhill so far, so hopefully that helps this weekend.

"We don't have anything to fear. There has not been a lot in the games we've played so we know we can win it."