FEARS that new Partick Thistle loan signing Lucas Akins was facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines have been dispelled.

Medical staff at Firhill were worried the striker, who has joined the Jags until the end of the season, had suffered a serious knock in a reserve game.

The 19-year-old will undergo a scan with SPL club Accies, but his new outfit are hopeful he will be available to play first- team football later this month.

Jags boss Ian McCall said: "The scan will be a precautionary measure. He will probably miss the game with Dunfermline on Saturday week, but we are keeping our fingers crossed he will be back to face Morton the next week.

"We think he has just strained his groin. It is a shame for us because he is a big physical boy who gives us something different up front. He has only come off the bench for us in one game.

"I also feel sorry for the boy himself. Obviously, when you move to a new club you are hoping to do well and make a real impression. He hasn't really had the chance to get a run in the team yet."

McCall, though, is hoping he will be able to call on central defenders John Robertson and Ian Maxwell when his title-chasing team resume their league duties against the Pars.

Jags have the weekend off after being dumped out of the Homecoming Scottish Cup by Inverness Caley in the fourth round last month.

McCall added: "Both Robertson and Maxwell are progressing nicely and we are hopeful of getting them back involved for the Dunfermline game.

"They are both important players and we have missed them. If we can get them back for the remainder of our league season then it would most definitely help our chances.

"Certainly, we are hopeful they will at least be fit enough to be in the squad for Dunfermline." Ross County today handed Craig Brewster the chance to resurrect his playing career at the age of 42.

Brewster, who was sacked as Inverness Caley manager last month, has signed a contract as player/coach until the end of the season.