Lawless in plans amid investigation

Steven Lawless remains in Alan Archibald's squad as Partick Thistle await a Scottish Football Association disciplinary charge over an alleged breach of betting rules.

Thistle confirmed reports on Thursday morning that the SFA was set to issue the 24-year-old with a notice of complaint "with regards to betting on football matches'' but it is likely to be next week before the action is followed through.

A Thistle spokesperson added: "As a club we are in the process of conducting our own internal investigation and, until that and any SFA procedure is concluded, we will be making no further comment.''

Lawless will be the fourth player to face action over breaking the SFA's zero-tolerance rules on betting on any football match - after Rangers pair Ian Black and Steve Simonsen and then Ayr striker Michael Moffat - with the previous punishments ranging from one to four-match bans.

And Archibald confirmed the winger would remain in contention to face Hamilton on Saturday.

The action comes as the former Motherwell winger and a host of other Thistle players are looking to extend their contracts after the Firhill club secured their Scottish Premiership safety but Archibald admitted the process could take some time.

"We have started speaking to one or two of them,'' Archibald said. "We have 13 out of contract so it will take a bit of time. I wish it was as simple as offering them a contract and they sign.

"But we have started and are moving in the right direction. I would hope it would be sorted by the end of the season but it will not be as quick as that by the time we get round all the different agents and speak to the players.''