PARTICK THISTLE are in advanced talks with striker Steven Lawless over a new contract that will keep him at the club until the end of next season.

As revealed in SportTimes earlier this month, Jags boss Alan Archibald is eager to retain the former Motherwell forward as he builds his squad for another crack at the SPFL Premiership next term.

Lawless was offered an extension to his deal last summer when he was the subject of a five-figure bid from Dutch side Willem II but, like left-back Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, held off on putting pen-to-paper.

While Taylor-Sinclair is now poised to clinch a move south of the border during the close season, with Championship side Wigan leading the chase for his services, Lawless has yet to agree a move elsewhere and his future now appears to lie at Firhill.

Jags goalkeeper Paul Gallacher is determined to hold on to the gloves next season after agreeing a new one-year contract.

The keeper replaced Scott Fox as No.1 during the second half of the Premiership campaign and put pen-to-paper on the same day as fellow custodian, youngster Ryan Scully, who has committed his future to the club until 2016.

"I have played a few more games than I expected when I first signed but the main aim was to work hard, get the coaching side of things done and hopefully get in the first team and ultimately it happened towards the end of the season," the 34-year-old told PTTV.

"It has been one year I have had of doing the dual role and I have really enjoyed it."

Meanwhile, Thistle have agreed their first pre-season friendly of the summer as they get set to return to Dumbarton ahead of the big Premiership kick-off.

Archibald's side were 4-3 winners at the Bet Butler Stadium last summer and will head back to the Rock on Saturday, July 19 as the Jags boss puts his squad through their paces against the Sons.