Archibald won't allow Bannigan to rush his Partick Thistle return
Partick Thistle boss Alan Archibald has urged midfielder Stuart Bannigan not to rush his return to action after 15 months out.
Partick Thistle boss Alan Archibald has urged midfielder Stuart Bannigan not to rush his return to action after 15 months out.
The former Scotland Under-21 cap is finally on the verge of a competitive comeback more than a year after suffering a serious knee injury.
Archibald has promised the 24-year-old he will get plenty of opportunities to run the rust out of his legs as the Betfred Cup gets under way.
But the Jags manager is wary his player will try to do too much too soon as he looks to get back up to speed.
He told ptfc.co.uk: "The main thing for Stuart is that he can't get too frustrated with himself.
"He always wants to be on top form but he won't be at that level yet coming off the back of 15 months out.
"He's featured in each and every closed-door game we've played which is encouraging, and hopefully that will help his sharpness.
"It's important that we don't put too much pressure on him and that we give him room to breathe and a chance to get up to speed at his own level.
"Due to injuries, Stuart will probably have to play a key role for the Betfred Cup games so it will be a real test for him over the next few weeks.''
Meanwhile, Archibald has confirmed defenders Niall Keown and Mustapha Dumbuya could miss their opening Betfred Cup clash away to Livingston on July 15 - with right-back Dumbuya looking at an extended lay-off.
And that could force the Firhill boss back into the transfer market.
"We've had a few small injuries,'' he explained. "Niall Keown picked up a knock on his second last day with Reading which obviously leaves us a bit short at centre-half.
"Mustapha Dumbuya has picked up a knee injury that has led to surgery, so he'll be out for a couple of months and that's a real blow for the player and the club. That means that we're a bit light defensively and with Ade Azeez leaving, we'll need more up front too.
"We may have to go out and get a full-back now which we weren't planning on.
"We were happy to go into the season with Dumbuya, Callum Booth, Christie Elliott and James Penrice - loan dependant. We also have to look at options up front because suddenly we only have one striker who's scored a Premiership goal, so we will be looking in the market.'