McCall Welcomes Old Team

Firhill has been hit by a flu bug as Partick Thistle were preparing for today's visit of Airdrie. The majority of the squad have been in quarantine at some point during this week after being struck down with illness. The impact was so bad that Paul Cairney, John Robertson, Martyn Corrigan, Simon Donnelly and keeper Jonny Tuffey all missed a closed-door game with Dundee United. Assistant manager Gerry Britton is clinging onto the hope that there will be a decent side available for action from the survivors come 3pm today. He said: "With all of these guys having played at Inverness, except Martyn, there is probably a bit of a knock-on effect and we will wait and see how they are before we start selecting at the team for Airdrie."

Airdrie defender Bobby Donnelly was subbed at half-time against Morton last weekend because of illness but manager Kenny Black is hopeful that he will be fit enough for inclusion today. Black has already welcomed back fellow centre-half David Nixonafter he recovered from a groin injury. Black also hopes Alan Trouten will recover from illness but Ricky Waddell has suffered a setback in his bid to return to action. Black has not been pleased about the recent run of results and has called on his players to show more composure and ruthlessness in attack. He said: "The longer you go without a win, the harder things become. You can understand the supporters being angry and upset but the players are out there trying their best. We have a decent squad now and what we may lack in a bit of quality we more than make up for in determination and commitment. I'll stand by these players."