ALAN ARCHIBALD will now step up his Partick Thistle recruitment drive as he prepares for life in the SPL.

The Jags boss lifted the Irn-Bru First Division silverware on Saturday following the 3-3 draw with Dunfermline.

And with only this weekend's trip to Dumbarton to come, thoughts are now turning to next season.

Club captain Paul Paton and forward Chris Erskine have already confirmed their Firhill exit as they get set to join former Jags boss Jackie McNamara at Dundee United, while Steven Craig will also leave the club this summer.

Scott Fox became the first of Thistle's out-of-contract stars to commit his future to Archibald's side when he penned a two-year deal earlier this month, and the Firhill boss is eager to get round the negotiating table.

Archibald said: "We have only just got the budget so we will do it this week. We want to do things as soon as we can.

"Club general manager Ian Maxwell has spoken to one or two of them to let them know, and even the ones in contract we want to talk to. We want to deal with them all.

"The ones that are under contract are not a worry right away but they deserve a new contract with how well they have done, there will be an extension there if they want it. Ian has started that process already.

"The ones that are out of contract that we want to keep we are looking to get them done as quickly as we can.

"As for potential targets, it is going to be hard this year. The SPL doesn't finish for a couple of weeks and there are going to be loads of players with no deals.

"We need the right ones to fit into our team, we have got a great group here.

"We can't just go and pick the best players in the First Division because most of them are already here or tied up with their clubs. We will look elsewhere and they have got to be right."

Thistle will bring the curtain down on a historic campaign when they head to the Bet Butler Stadium this weekend.

Archibald fielded a changed side against the Pars on Saturday and admits his resources will be stretched once again for the Sons clash.

He said: "We were missing a lot of central midfielders and we missed someone there to hold things together. We were off last Monday and Tuesday and James Craigen came in on Wednesday and took a sore one.

"His foot was planted and the goalkeeper landed on him so we were worried.

"He has been for a scan and the good news is that he doesn't need surgery or anything. In a way, it has come at a good time and hopefully he will be back for pre-season.

"Sean Welsh won't be fit, I don't think Paul Paton will be and Hugh Murray won't be so we have got the same problems this weekend."