Partick's Baraclough in hospital after accident

Ian Baraclough was appointed Partick Thistle's first sporting director in April

Partick Thistle sporting director Ian Baraclough has suffered extensive back and neck injuries in a holiday swimming accident and "required immediate surgery" to ensure they "were not life-changing".

The Scottish Championship club say the 54-year-old Englishman is recovering in hospital in Mauritius following the accident just over a week ago.

"It is expected it will be several weeks before he can return to the country and a further period of recovery will be needed before he is able to return to The Wyre Stadium at Firhill," they stated.

"Ian was injured whilst swimming and required immediate surgery to ensure that the injuries were not life-changing."

The former Scunthorpe United, Sligo Rovers, Motherwell and Northern Ireland manager became Thistle's first sporting director in April and oversaw the appointment of Mark Wilson, who had been interim co-head coach, as team boss.

Speaking to the club website, Baraclough thanked the surgeons and staff at the Wellkin Hospital, Mauritius, "for their exceptional care" and the Glasgow club for "their support and well wishes".

He added that he was "looking forward to returning as quickly as possible".

Thistle chairman Richard Beastall said it had been "a harrowing time" for the former Lincoln City, Notts County, Queens Park Rangers and Scunthorpe United utility player and his family.

"However, things are beginning to settle now," Beastall added. "He suffered broken bones in both his neck and back, but thankfully the speed in which he was operated on, and the care that was taken pre-operation, has helped the situation significantly."

Beastall added that "contingency measures" include Thistle's new head of recruitment, Lee Turnbull, taking on extra duties to cope with Baraclough's absence.