Archibald hopes for cash boost
Partick boss Alan Archibald hopes he will get money to spend this month after releasing defenders Jake Carroll and Aaron Muirhead.
The Jags boss agreed to tear up Muirhead's contract earlier this week while on-loan Huddersfield left-back Carroll will return south after picking up an injury.
The former Republic of Ireland schoolboy international could yet return to Firhill at a later point this month.
But Archibald believes his side - nine points behind sixth-place St Johnstone - need to strengthen regardless if they are to realise their top-six ambitions.
He said: "It might be possible to extend Jake's deal at a later point but we are letting him go back now because he is injured. He will return to Huddersfield and see where is at with his recovery.
"We also let Aaron go. He wasn't getting enough game time and he had the chance to move on so we wish him all the best.
"Hopefully their departures will free up some money for us to go and bring someone else in.
"We definitely need to strengthen and we are looking to get at least two in - maybe three. We need to improve in all areas - back, middle and front.
"With Jake going left-back is definitely a priority though as we have had Jordan McMillan filling in there and he is missing too.
"To keep looking upwards that's what we need. You always need to bring in fresh players. It helps the squad and is good for the boys in the dressing room as well because it keeps them all on their toes."
Thistle will be well rested ahead of Sunday's clash with Dundee United after their New Year's Day fixture with Celtic was rained off.
But with seven first-team figures now ruled out through either injury or suspension. Archibald is just pleased not to have suffered any more casualties.
He said: "It was frustrating having Thursday's game postponed for everybody at the club, but from a playing point of view, it's probably a wee blessing in disguise as we were struggling with numbers.
"We even had a couple of lads phone in yesterday reporting more illness.
"So it probably wasn't a bad thing that the game was called off.
"United will be flying after a great performance in the derby against Dundee. But we know we can hurt them and believe we can.
"The week before that they lost to St Johnstone and we hope we can exploit some of their weaknesses."
Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara has told his players to forget about their resounding derby day win as they gear up for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match away to Partick Thistle.
United excelled in their 6-2 New Year's Day defeat of Dundee which saw them get 2015 off to a whirlwind start.
Now they travel to Firhill for their meeting with Alan Archibald's Partick and McNamara insists they cannot afford to bask in the glory of Thursday's result.
He said: "It's about moving on.
"It's obviously a great result beating Dundee like we did but it's all about the next game.
"The players are in good spirits and can take a lot of positives into this game with Thistle.
"We know it will be tough though and Thistle will want to get a result for their own purposes.
"So we have to be ready and I'm sure we will be."
Meanwhile, United midfielder Paul Paton is available from suspension again for the trip to Firhill having served his three-match ban.
Source: PA
