Kanayo Megwa had yet to join the club when Airdrie beat Partick Thistle earlier this season, but the defender is keen to play his part in a similar performance from the Diamonds this weekend.

Kris Doolan’s men will be hoping to get one over on Airdrie at Wyre Stadium after goals from Gabby McGill and Calum Gallagher consigned the Jags to defeat in August.

The return fixture sees the Diamonds resume their cinch Championship duties after a successful November which included cup wins over Rangers B, Greenock Morton and Stranraer.

Defensive shortages saw Megwa switch sides and fill in at left-back at Stair Park last Saturday, but the on-loan Englishman took it in his stride.

“It was good, I’ve played there before with Hibs - it’s the same thing, just on a different side! I was comfortable I was able to do my job, so it was good. It was a good game for us as well.

“We knew it would be scrappy, but as long as we don’t concede we know that we have enough options upfront to go and win the game.

“We just had to stick in and keep calm, and we managed to get the result.”

Airdrie’s reward for seeing off Scott Agnew’s side is a home tie against Premiership St Johnstone, but with the tie scheduled for the end of January, the important job of picking up league points comes first.

That begins against Partick Thistle on Saturday, and Megwa believes that Airdrie can repeat their earlier feat and bring the points home from Firhill.

“To be honest I don’t know much about them, I’ve never played them before - but I know they’re third now, so it’ll be a tough game. And hopefully we can win it!

“Every game is different, but it’ll give us a small psychological edge knowing that we can beat them.

“Hopefully we can go there and play like we did last time, although I wasn’t there, and hopefully we can still win the game.”

With a big month of Championship fixtures ahead, Kanayo wants to pick up a head of steam going into the new year.

“It’ll be really important to get as many points from those games as we can, to get us to where we want to be at the end of the season.

“Hopefully we can make the most of all the games and just keep winning.”

Manager Rhys McCabe expects a closer contest than August’s win at the Excelsior.

“It’ll be a different game with them having home advantage and learning a lot in terms of how dominant we were in that fixture, and coming out comfortable winners in the end. I think they’ve picked up from that, they’ve managed to gain a good few results along the way.

“Dools and the lads at Partick will be well aware of our strengths and what we can do to teams on our day, and vice versa we’ve got a gauge of their strengths and weaknesses as well.

“I’m sure it’ll be a tighter game, and it’s one that we’re thoroughly looking forward to.”

Although Murray Aiken remains sidelined for the Diamonds, Mason Hancock continued his comeback with a run-out for the reserves in midweek. Fellow defender Cammy Ballantyne missed the Stranraer match through suspension, but is a doubt for Saturday as he awaits scan results on an ongoing groin injury.

Referee Steven McLean has overseen one other Airdrie match this season, August’s extra-time Viaplay Cup defeat by Ross County.

Match tickets must be purchased in advanced and are available using the link below. Our DiamondsTV video (subscribers outwith the UK & Ireland only) and audio (pay-per-match worldwide) streams will be available subject to connectivity.

Airdrie supporters should enter the Colin Weir stand through turnstiles 13, 14 and 15 with car parking at the city end of the stadium. Pyrotechnics are not permitted, and anyone carrying them will be denied entry.

Please note the Aitken bar is open to home fans only, and Airdrie supporters may be asked to stay behind at the end of the match to allow the home crowd to disperse.

There will be a minutes applause prior to kick-off for Janice Davidson, a valued and much-loved member of Partick Thistle’s hospitality staff.