Ryan Edwards is hoping to be the man to chip in with goals for Partick Thistle to make up for the absence of top scorer Kris Doolan.

The Aussie midfielder, who was suspended for Saturday’s league opener against Hibs, is in contention for a start against St Johnstone this evening.

And he reckons that the extra work he has been doing in training can help him become more of a goal threat for the Jags.

“I feel I’ve got goals in me and want to improve in that area,” Edwards said. “I just need to take my chances.

“We haven’t relied too much on Kris at the start of the season - Stevie Lawless, Chris Erskine and Blair Spittal have chipped in and we have defenders who are a threat at set pieces.

“I don’t want to lose anything from my unselfish nature but in the back of my mind I want to start scoring more.

“It’s disappointing to lose Kris because he’s massive for us on and off the pitch. Young Kevin Nisbet has earned his chance to play and needs to get some confidence.

“We’ve got other players who might not be natural strikers but can play in that position.

“Hopefully we can bring someone in because we need to strengthen in that area but in the meantime others will step up.”

Edwards can’t wait to get out on the pitch after enduring a watching brief as Thistle went down at Easter Road.

“It was frustrating being suspended on Saturday and it was the first game I haven’t been available since coming to the club,” he said.

“I would hate to think how it must feel to be injured for a long time. I had it for one game and didn’t like it.

“I remember the booking that ruled me out and it was probably the worst game of my career so far.

“I had to switch to an unfamiliar right back role and I didn’t even tackle Jonny Hayes. I just fell over and got the yellow card!”

Edwards is hoping to go a step further than Thistle managed in cup competitions last season by seeing off St Johnstone on their way to a trip to Hampden.

“We made the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup last season and want to progress,” he said. “St Johnstone are a team we can beat but they’re very good and we’ve had some good battles.”