Martyn Corrigan has revealed he is hoping to consolidate a place in defence when Partick Thistle travel to Ayr United for their re-arranged Irn-Bru First Division fixture tomorrow night.

The 33-year-old has only appeared in successive games on one occasion this term – at the beginning of August – when he started against Berwick in the Challenge Cup and followed that up by another run-out at Ayr in the SFL.

But, after enduring a miserable first half of the season through a variety of injuries that culminated in a broken hand, the vastly experienced former Motherwell man returned to the Partick starting line-up at Inverness a fortnight back.

Now Corrigan is determined to play his part in keeping Thistle’s flickering promotion hopes alive at Somerset Park.

Corrigan said: “It has been a very frustrating season and it is great to be back and to have had the start up at Inverness.

“Obviously this match at Ayr is our game in hand and it is vital that we try and get the three points, but they proved down at their place in the league opener just what a decent side they are and we know how tough it will be.

“But, with the visit of Airdrie United on Saturday, it is a massive week for us and we have got to view it as a real opportunity to get going again.

“In this league you just can’t forecast the result of any game, but if we can put a run together now we can get ourselves back into things at the business end of the table.”

A win for the Jags would take them back into third place and reduce the gap with leaders Dundee to nine points.

With Ayr gaffer Brian Reid having snapped up the services of former Hibs striker Tam McManus during the transfer window, Corrigan admits that Thistle’s defence will have to be resolute.

He said: “Ayr have signed Tam McManus and he has come in and scored against Dundee in the cup defeat last weekend. He is a striker who has plenty of pedigree at the top level.

“He is a very sharp forward who never gives you a minute’s peace and we will have to make sure that we give him no scraps.

“But it is up to us to get the job done.”