Partick Thistle fans may be hungry for news of incoming transfers during the January window, but Chris Erskine reckons that the key players the Jags have returning from injury will be enough to reinvigorate the squad.

Thistle boss Alan Archibald is likely to sign at least one player before the month is out after losing Jordan Turnbull from his defence, but Erskine believes the boost the players will get from the return of the likes of captain Abdul Osman, Callum Booth, Mustapha Dumbuya and Christie Elliott will be massive.

The attacker is sure that the prolonged absence of his teammates has played a significant role in Thistle's struggles so far this season, and that their return can play just as big a part in firing the Jags up the table.

“I think that the fact we’ve got a few bodies just about back now in Boothy, Muzzy and Abs especially, and then Christie who should be back soon too, that will help us immensely,” said Erskine.

“They will be like new signings, because they haven’t featured a lot this year.

“I don’t know if the manager might go for another centre-half after losing Jordan Turnbull, but if we can get these boys back fit and playing they will be great additions to the squad in themselves.

“They are all big players, major members of the first-team squad. It’s not like they are guys who are just making up the numbers.

“The left-back area especially for us this season has been a problem with Boothy and Christie being out, and Stevie Lawless and Jordan have done a great job there, but we would probably rather they were playing elsewhere.

“Just having Boothy back would be a massive bonus if he can get back playing the way he was last year.

“We have James Penrice coming back too, and he has done great on loan at Livingston.

“So, that will give us a massive boost.”

Thistle get back into action on Saturday with a tricky-looking Scottish Cup tie against Queen of the South at Palmerston, and while Erskine admits that the league is their main focus, he says that he would love a win and a subsequent cup run.

“The league is obviously the priority, and especially with the position we’re in, it is more important,” he said.

“But I think that everybody, the players, the manager and the fans, would love a run in the cup.

“We all want the club to at least get to Hampden. Last season was probably the best run I’ve had in the Scottish Cup at the club, so you never know.

“We’ve got a tough game at Queen of the South to start with, and unless we beat them, we’re not going anywhere.

“It won’t be easy. They are a good, steady team in the Championship and it will be a tough place to go. I know John Rankin of course, and Stephen Dobbie is probably the main man for them down there.

“We all know the quality that he’s got, and he’s somebody we will definitely need to look after.”

Erskine hopes to be fit for the game after missing a few sessions during the early part of the club’s winter training camp in Marbella with the calf injury that saw him sit out the last two games of last year.

“I’ve had a couple of wee injuries here and there, but I should be fine for Saturday,” he said.

“I just want to get back in the team, back to scoring goals, and hopefully be part of another good season.”