PARTICK THISTLE have taken former Dundee, Dundee United and Aberdeen midfielder Mark Kerr on trial with a view to a possible deal.

The 31-year-old played with Jags boss Alan Archibald during his time at Tannadice and is one of a number of players the Firhill gaffer hopes to cast his eye over during the close season.

Thistle will spend the rest of this week being put through their paces in Glasgow before heading to their training camp in Durham as they step up their preparations for their return to the Scottish Premier League.

Archibald said: "We had Mark Kerr in training with us and the first team. That was the only one with us. We will hopefully have a few more coming in towards the end of the week and next week as well. Mark has got a couple of other options. It gives him a chance to have a look at us and we can have a look at him.

"I know Mark well, I played with him a few years ago. He had a bad time and came back from Greece and got injured. I know his qualities.

"If he is still the same player that I played with then I know how good he is. It is good to have a look at him and see if he could do a job for us and for him to see if we suit him."

While Archibald is keen to strengthen his Thistle squad ahead of the big kick-off, having already agreed deals with striker John Baird and keeper Paul Gallacher, he is also determined to hold on to his top Firhill talents.

The First Division champions rejected a bid of £50,000 for Steven Lawless from Dutch side Willem II last week and Archibald hopes his strike star will be part of his squad for their assault on the top flight next term. He said: "We are keen to hold on to him. It (the bid) was out of the blue to be honest, I didn't see it coming.

"Stevie has been offered a deal and we are keen to keep him for longer, he has got a year left.

"He hasn't signed yet but that is up to him. He is a valued member of the squad.

"The number of assists and goals he got us last year was fantastic. We are keen to hold on to him.

"It would need to be a really good bid to take Stevie out the door.

"I haven't spoken to him (regarding his contract). It was a bit manic yesterday so I have not spoken to him.

"It was a while back we offered him a contract, at the end of the season. He rejected that and we have not heard anything since.

"We have not went to him with anything else and he has not come to us. That is where it was left and that is where it is at the moment."

The only concern for the Thistle management team yesterday was a calf niggle reported by defender Jordan McMillan.

The rest of his squad came back fighting fit ahead of the new campaign, with their first pre-season game against Gateshead coming on July 6.

Archibald added: "We will monitor Jordan over the next couple of days. James Craigen and Sean Welsh went away injured but they came back and done the fitness test, it was just straightforward running.

"When we get into the football stuff, we will break them in gently. Shuggy Murray is fine, he came back in good shape as well."