91Èȱ¬

Jake Carroll has joined fellow defender Aaron Muirhead in leaving Partick Thistle and manager Alan Archibald hopes it releases some transfer cash.

On-loan 23-year-old Carroll has returned to Huddersfield Town following injury, while 24-year-old Muirhead left the club "by mutual consent".

"Hopefully their departures will free up some money for us to go and bring someone else in," said Archibald.

"We definitely need to strengthen and we are looking to get at least two in."

Thistle lie ninth in the Scottish Premiership, nine points ahead of St Mirren in the relegation play-off place, but Archibald is looking to catch sixth-top St Johnstone.

"We need to improve in all areas - back, middle and front," he said.

"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."

Carroll made 13 appearances for Thistle and the former Republic of Ireland schoolboy international could yet return to Firhill.

"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," said Archibald.

"He will return to Huddersfield and see where he is at with his recovery.

"With Jake going, left-back is definitely a priority, though, as we have had Jordan McMillan filling in there and he is missing too."

Dumfries-born Muirhead made 71 appearances for Thistle since arriving at Firhill in 2012, but only six of those have come this season.

"He wasn't getting enough game time and he had the chance to move on, so we wish him all the best," added Archibald.

Having come through the youth ranks at Ayr United, Muirhead spent four years in Scotland's lowest tier with Annan Athletic before joining Thistle.

He helped Alan Archibald's side win the title and promotion to Scotland's top flight in season 2012-13.

However, Belgian central defender Frederic Frans last month signed a contract extension with Thistle having established himself as a first-team regular since winning an initial deal in October.