IAN McCALL today revealed he is four signings short of having the squad needed to build on this term's second-placed finish in the Irn-Bru First Division.

The Jags boss completed his first two signings of the summer when he snapped up Junior midfield ace Chris Erskine from Kilbirnie Ladeside and experienced former Motherwell defender Martyn Corrigan on a pre-contract from Ross County.

But the Firhill gaffer's next priority will now be to add some quality and depth to his attack with Thistle having just two recognised strikers on their books in Liam Buchanan and Kris Doolan.

McCall said: "We need a midfield player, a wider player and we desperately need two strikers and if we can get the quality of player that I am after that would be great.

"If not then I know the board will have done their very best to make that happen. But we are a bit short up front with just Liam and Kris as recognised strikers and that is my priority."

McCall's desperation to add up front is understandable given that, for a second successive season, Buchanan's campaign was decimated by a groin injury.

But with the Jags boss believed to have held talks with an out-of-contract SFL striker already, frontline reinforcement may not be far away.

McCall admitted his delight at securing the services of the versatile Corrigan who will more than fill the void left by the departure of Aussie utility defender Simon Storey.

McCall said: "Martyn was my boot boy at Falkirk many years ago and then I tried to sign him when I was manager at Dundee United and he was on the verge of a Scotland call-up.

"With Simon Storey leaving, I am absolutely delighted to get Martyn as he can play anywhere along the back four or five and he can also play in the midfield.

"If we do go with a five he can play in the middle of a three.Martyn is a bit different as he can come out with the ball and play as he is a very talented footballer.

"He has also played in midfield many times for Motherwell and Kilmarnock in the SPL so I reckon Martyn can be a great signing for us next season."

Thistle now have real depth both in experience and quality at the back, with skipper Alan Archibald, Ian Maxwell and John Robertson already in situ, while the youth and promise of Paul Paton and Marc Twaddle is only likely to blossom further next term on the flanks.

And McCall revealed that Storey's dragging feet and reluctance to commit to a tabled one- year deal offer, coupled with Corrigan's availability, spelt the end of the former Melbourne Victory player's two-year tenure at Firhill.

The Jags boss said: "We offered Simon something, but he took his time coming back to us and it would appear that he is looking at something different.

"So with Martyn coming on to our radar we felt we had to act, but we wish Simon all the best as he has done a good job for Partick Thistle over the last couple of seasons."

And, for his part, Corrigan says he still has plenty left in the tank to help fuel the Firhill title challenge next term.

He said: "I have kept myself in good shape and I am confident I can make a contribution next season.

"With guys of the calibre of Alan Archibald, Ian Maxwell and John Robertson at the back, already I am just looking forward to fitting in.

"But I know that the manager has high hopes for young guys like Paul Paton and Marc Twaddle and, hopefully, with my experience, I can help them along the way.

"Coming to Thistle will be an exciting move for me and one I can't wait to get going with."

Meanwhile, Archibald came through a routine knee operation yesterday to clear up some wear and tear damage and will be fit to play a full part in pre-season.

Willie Kinniburgh has had a groin operation and may miss out on the start of next term.