PARTICK THISTLE manager Ian McCall is facing a race against the crock ahead of Saturday's must-win clash with Morton.

The Jags boss was without an astonishing 10 first-team squad players for training over the course of yesterday and this morning.

And McCall admits that even though he is hopeful he will have several back for the Firhill tussle with the Ton, none will be 100% per cent fit.

He said: "Obviously Marc Twaddle and Simon Storey both went off during the 3-2 defeat by Dunfermline on Saturday.

"Marc was the main worry after he took a sore one to an ankle which is now bruised and we will have to wait and see how that is when it all goes down.

"On top of that, Alan Archibald has had to go for a scan on a knee although I am relieved it is not the one he required cruciate ligament surgery on last spring. But he needs tidy-up surgery on the knee, and the scan will tell us just what state it is in and if we can hold off until the end of the season.

"Willie Kinniburgh is in a similar situation with his groin. We know he will need surgery and we are trying to nurse him through until the end of the campaign.

"Both Archie and Willie have been outstanding for us of late and it is vital we keep them ticking over if possible."

McCall continued: "Kevin McKinlay also took a kick at the weekend and he missed training yesterday, but we are hopeful he will be all right for Morton. Given the situation with Marc Twaddle, the last thing we need is an injury to another important left-sided player."

Liam Buchanan also sat out the early-week training after he was hooked late in the second half against the Pars after sustaining tightness in the groin area, but the five-goal striker should again be patched up and be ready to play against Davie Irons' side at the weekend.

Concerns are also lingering over Gary Harkins and Stephen McKeown, while stopper John Robertson and loan signing from Hamilton Lucas Akins are also racing to play a part against the Ton with round-the-clock physio.

The addition of target man Akins to the squad for Saturday would be a big plus given the uncompromising and physical nature of the Morton defence.

But, while his mammoth injury list is causing the Jags boss concern, he admits that a home win against the Greenock outfit has taken on greater significance following the Dunfermline sickener.

McCall said: "While we are hopeful that we will get the majority of the lads back for Saturday, it is certainly a less than ideal situation when it comes to training and you only have five players available.

"Morton is a big game for us. I thought there were a lot of pluses from the Dunfermline match and we played some good football and had control for most of the game, but we did at times leave ourselves a bit open at the back and that is a concern.

"However, whenever you lose at home, it is absolutely vital you provide a response at the next opportunity.

"We know from the nature of the Irn-Bru First Division that points will be dropped from week to week, but the one thing you have to make sure you do is win at home.

"We have a proud record at Firhill where we have only lost to Ross County, Rangers and now Dunfermline this season, and we definitely don't want another name added to that list."

Meanwhile, McCall will be without defensive stalwart Ian Maxwell, banned after his red card against the Pars.