WHILE most on the outside looking in to Partick Thistle reckon a break could be just what this frustrated group of players need as they search for their first Premiership win, it’s far from the case for Conor Sammon.

That’s the reality for the in-form Irishman who will be forced to sit out this weekend’s visit of Hearts in what would have been the perfect opportunity to perform.

On loan from the Tynecastle club, the 30-year-old turned in a terrific man-of-the-match performance during Tuesday night’s 3-1 extra time Betfred Cup loss to Rangers. Playing as a loan striker for most of the 90 minutes, Sammon was repeatedly denied by Rangers keeper Jak Alnwick while his hold up and link up play was key in Thistle hanging in the game during the earlier stages.

Sammon has only scored once for Hearts since moving to Edinburgh on a three-year deal from Derby County last summer. To say a move to Edinburgh is possibly stretching it given he was sent out on loan to Kilmarnock during the second part of the campaign. A chance to show Craig Levein what he’s missing would have been ideal for the Dubliner, who instead will be left kicking his heels in the stand come Saturday.

“I’m not able to play in that one so unfortunately I’ll have the weekend off,” said Sammon. “I’m at a stage where I want to be playing.

“So it does comer at the wrong time, where you’re trying to get a run together and play and give the manager a headache and try to stay in the team.

“But I’ll support the lads Saturday and look forward to getting back involved after Hearts game.

“The points we have on the board isn’t what we would like.

“We are working really hard to make sure we boost ourselves yup the league. But the performances in the last two games have been really good.

“We have got a really good mix of players in the team and I can see us really gelling together as the season keeps progressing and we play with each other more often.”