Partick Thistle assistant manager Scott Paterson is urging caution over the timescale for Stuart Bannigan’s return from injury, but hopes he can take part in full training in a matter of weeks.

The midfielder gave the club a huge boost by agreeing a new two-year deal to remain at Firhill last week.

Having been out of action since March though, the Thistle fans and the player himself are keen to see him back in action sooner rather than later.

They will have to patient just a little longer, but Paterson hopes that the wait might not be as lengthy as once was feared.

He said: “Banzo is running but obviously his injury is a little bit different to everyone else’s.

“We’re having to watch what we do very carefully with Banzo and the physio is monitoring him very closely to make sure he is doing everything right.

“Hopefully we will see him back within the next few weeks in full training, but we can’t really put times on these sorts of injuries, we just have to be patient and it’s important that the player is patient too.

“I’ve been there myself and you are itching to get back in, but you have to make sure the rehab is done properly.

“But we’re absolutely delighted that Banzo has stayed on, he’s a massive player for us. Hopefully we’ll see him on the pitch sooner rather than later.”

Thistle step up their pre-season preparations with a trip to Kirkcaldy to face Raith Rovers this evening.

Ahead of the friendly, Paterson also provided an update on some other key Thistle players who have been carrying knocks.

“Tomas Cerny is back doing little bits here and there, and he is hopefully close to making a full comeback soon,” he said.

“We won’t rush him and we’ll wait for him to get fully fit, but he’s come on leaps and bounds.

“Callum Booth is coming along nicely as well, he’s been doing bits and bobs which is great and I’d hope that both of those guys will be involved in full training next week.

“We’re taking it day-by-day and seeing how it goes, but it gives them a massive boost and it gives the team a massive boost to see them back and getting involved.

“It might just be little passing drills as well as doing their own rehab work with the physio, but it’s good for their morale to get back in amongst the boys.

“Christie Elliot is back running too, and he hopefully shouldn’t be too far away either.”