Dunfermline’s Pat Clarke insists he only needs a bit more game time and he”ll be fully fit for the new league campaign.
Clarke looks set to get his wish in tonight’s pre-season friendly with Hearts and could start up front with new strike partner Andy Kirk.
The 25-year-old, who put in a promising display against Arbroath in the Alba Cup, told Courier Sport yesterday he was looking forward to facing SPL opposition.
“I can’t wait to get started,” he said. “It’ll be another tough test for us.
“This will be another good workout before the start of the season.”
Clarke has been playing catch-up with his team-mates in terms of fitness since signing a two-year deal with the Pars after leaving Dundee earlier this month.
However, he reckons he is nearly there.
“I’d love to get another game under my belt,” he said.
“That’s what I have been trying to get, just to try and get my fitness levels as high as possible before the start of the league campaign.
“I’m not far away, to be honest. Maybe another game or so to really get that match fitness and sharpness back.”
Clarke said he is enjoying his second spell at East End Park, having served his apprenticeship at the club.
He is keen to strike up a partnership with Kirk, who has been the Fifers’ main source of goals in the last couple of seasons.
“He’s a great player to play up front with,” he added. “He speaks to you and always tells you to stay close to him.
“There were little signs on Saturday, but obviously it takes time. You are not going to click right away.
“You need to learn each other’s games, but it’ll come, hopefully.”
He was pleased with his performance on Saturday, even though he had a goal chalked off and narrowly missed the target with a cheeky backheel.
“I had a few chances that I thought on another day I would have put away, but it happens,” he said.
“A least I was in the right positions. On another day they’ll go in.”
Pars manager Jim McIntyre will be without midfielder Steven Bell, who picked up an achilles injury in Saturday’s game.
McIntyre said it was too early to tell just how long Bell would be out.
“I’ve still to speak to the physio’, so we’ll just need to wait and see,” he said.
As for the Hearts game, McIntyre added, “It’s another 90 minutes and more game time, gearing towards getting ready for the start of the season.”