DEREK WHYTE has revealed that Partick Thistle are facing a race against the clock to strengthen their squad.
The Firhill management duo of Whyte and Gerry Britton are on the hunt for a left-sided midfielder to beef up the competition for places in that area.
However, with the transfer window set to slam shut at midnight next Tuesday the sands of time are slipping away fast.
Thistle's latest audition for the vacant position, Mitchell Johnston, fluffed his lines badly in Wednesday's 2-2 reserve draw with Falkirk, gift-wrapping a first half penalty to the Bairns.
Indeed, Jags hauled the midfielder off at half-time before saying g'day to the Aussie.
Whyte said: "We know there isn't much time to add to the squad, but we have not given up hope.
"Gerry and I have been pursuing lines of enquiry on both sides of the border, but we will only take somebody if he is better than we already have here.
"It could be that a loan deal is our best option, but if we fail to add someone then the transfer window opens again in January and we will then work towards that.
"In any case, we are reasonably pleased with the squad we have. We won't be rushing into anything."
Meanwhile, Thistle will head for Dingwall today with some momentum building ahead of their clash with Ross County at Victoria Park.
Whyte said: "We have now won four out of our last five games and are scoring freely.
"Up front the partnership of Juan Ramon Escalas and Leigh Hinds is really bearing fruit. I thought Leigh had his best game for us against Stenhousemuir in the CIS cup.
"The fact we have genuine pace up front will cause most teams problems. But Ramon and Leigh are forming a decent understanding and that is pleasing."
Indeed, with Jags having scored 13 times in those five games, going forward there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful.
While Ramon and Hinds have already established themselves as the club's first choice strikers Whyte was impressed by the contribution of Armand One on Wednesday.
He said: "Armand was exceptional in the second half against Falkirk - maybe that was down to reserve boss John McLaughlan's half-time chat - but he showed every-thing we expect of him.
"However at 21, he is still raw and we have work to do to mould him into the player he can be.
"But Armand offers us an alternative option to Ramon and Leigh up front. With his match fitness improving after getting his first 90 minutes under his belt, Armand will feature at some stage at Dingwall."
Jamie Mitchell resumed training yesterday and will travel to the Highlands, but Billy Gibson is causing some concern.
The former Ranger, who was outstanding at Ochilview on Tuesday, took a knock to an ankle and has been receiving intensive treatment from physio George Hannah in a bid to play against County.
Gibson missed training yesterday and is in the 50/50 category for the meeting with Alex Smith's men.
Whyte reckons that three points from Dingwall would be a massive boost for the Firhill side.
He said: "There are very few teams who will go to Ross County and take three points.
"We will be more cautious in our approach for that one, probably along the lines of the Hamilton game, but will still be trying to win.
"Obviously with the likes of Steven McGarry and Gary McSwegan County have a real goal menace. From that point of view I don't expect it to be a counter-attacking game."