Thistle face a journey to second bottom Shettleston on Saturday looking to keep within the chasing pack for promotion to the Premier League. It is a 1.45pm kick-off at Greenfield Park.

Largs are on a high after scoring some impressive goals against Bellshill in the West of Scotland Cup, but had a blank weekend on Saturday after their match against Maryhill was postponed.

A bid to play Muirkirk in friendly was scuppered after registration did not go through for the challenge game.

Stuart said: "It was frustrating not to have a game on Saturday but the boys have been training hard and we are confident we can go to Shettleston and get a victory.

"It was a tough game when we beat Shettleston at Barrfields so we are expecting much of the same in Glasgow on Saturday.

"The squad is coming together with some injuries clearing up."

Shettleston have struggled this season with only one league win to their name, but Largs themselves are urgently looking for maximum points after going four league games without the taste of victory.

Key midfield signing Ryan McKie, who has barely featured this season, has been at training and looking a lot sharper after a knee problem, but Thistle's ongoing keeper difficulties have not cleared up with Ross Lundy missing this weekend due to work commitments. Sean Graham still has a niggle but should be available to play for Shettleston.

Defender Nicky Jamieson is also back in the reckoning after missing training in recent weeks, while Jamie Campbell upfront and midfield battler Gary Fleming are also in contention after recent injuries.

Stuart said: "Going out of the Scottish Cup at Sauchie was a bodyblow, but the boys have reacted well. It was a decent display against Darvel, albeit we were two goals up, but we fought back well in the 2nd half when down to ten men, and we beat Bellshill in the West Cup, and I was pleased with the outcome.

"I don't think about getting draws, we need to go to Shettleston on the front foot looking for victory. Three points is massive and teams above us have already gone on winning runs, and I am sure our time will come."

Stuart took in the Irvine Meadow v Kello match on Saturday which was won by the Kirkconnel side, who were the last team Largs beat on league business on 30 September. He added: "You see results in this league you don't expect - it is a very tough league, something fans know very well after previous seasons."

Former Morton man Alex McWaters caught the eye against Bellshill with a brilliant free kick, setting up the other goal, and also smashing the crossbar with a set piece effort.

Stuart said: "Alex has that in his locker - we are looking to get more out of him as it was that bit of quality that shone through for us in the end against Bellshill, and we need to shore more of that quality in the final third as sometimes that can really make the difference in games."

Thistle have been without a win in two months due to a postponement, cup matches, indifferent league form, and the junior international weekend.