PARTICK THISTLE star Christie Elliott is no stranger to the injury table, so he is perfectly placed to help teammate Thomas O’Ware through his own extended spell on the sidelines.

The Firhill centre-back has been ruled out for the season after sustaining a knee injury in last weekend’s defeat to Dundee United.

The versatile Elliott missed huge chunks of last season through injury too, and he knows only too well how tough a physical and mental challenge lies ahead of the former Morton man.

That’s why he has pledged to be there for O’Ware to help him through what is bound to be one of the most difficult spells of his career.

“It’s such a massive blow for us as a team, and it’s such a huge blow for Tam as well,” Elliott said.

“I’ve been there myself, and it is really hard when you are on the sidelines. You aren’t about the dressing room as much and it can be a mental challenge.

“Luckily, we’re at a club that always rallies around injured players. That was so important for me when I was out, and we will all be there for Tam as well.

“It’s so unfortunate because he had started his career at Thistle so well, and there is no doubt that we will miss him. But it is up to the rest of us now to step up and make sure that we get promoted for him.”

Elliott is looking forward to taking on Morton to Firhill on Saturday as Thistle look to get back on track following the reverse last weekend at Tannadice, but he has warned the Cappielow men that the welcome mat won’t be laid out for them.

“It is going to be a tough match,” said Elliott. “But we can take confidence from the win we got over Morton in the League Cup.

“We have had a mixed start to the season, but we are determined to show more consistency, particularly at home.

“We know that we have got the talent in the squad to challenge for promotion and that is our aim. We need to be winning games like this if we are to be serious contenders, and that is how we see ourselves.

“I would ask the fans for a little patience though. We have brought in a lot of new players so it was always going to take time to gel, but I’m sure that we will be living up to our real potential soon.”