Pars boss Jim McIntyre has revealed that his side will be without on-loan Hearts player Jason Thomson for next week’s game against the Jambos.
The full-back has been a first-choice regular since joining the Pars but because of a gentleman’s agreement, he will be denied the chance to face his former team-mates.
That further reduces McIntyre’s options as his side look to bounce back strongly after what the manager described as an ”abysmal” display while losing to Aberdeen last Friday.
While refusing to make excuses for that performance, McIntyre admitted pundits may have underestimated the effect the loss of four key players with long-term injuries has had on his side.
Central midfielders Nick Phinn (hamstring), Martin Hardie (ankle) and Steven Bell (achilles) as well as first-choice centre-half Kevin Rutkiewicz (hip) have all missed the start of the season.
There is now light at the end of the tunnel for the quartet but the Hearts game may still come too soon for them to make a comeback.
McIntyre said: ”Hardie, Phinn, Rutkiewicz and Bell all started light jogging this week which was great to see.
”They are progressing well but whether they will be ready for Hearts is another story.
”We will also be without Jason Thomson as we have a gentleman’s agreement with Hearts that he will not play against them.
”It is a squad game but there is no getting away from the fact that we have key players on the sidelines.
”We have been without them for a wee while now but we have still managed to get results.
”The players who have been selected are good enough but we just haven’t performed in the last fortnight.”
Dunfermline have lost their last two games against Rangers and Aberdeen by the same 4-0 scoreline.Video nastyAnd McIntyre revealed that at the start of this week, his players were forced to sit and watch a ”video nasty” of their dismal display against the Dons.
It was painful viewing for all of them bar goalkeeper Paul Gallacher who kept the score to a fairly respectable level.
However, McIntyre is confident that having analysed what went wrong at Pittodrie, his players will produce a big response against Hearts.
He said: ”We spent a long time in the video room as it was important that everybody saw just how bad we were.
”However, we have to remember that while we have been poor in the last two games, in the other seven matches, we have always been in them and competed well.
”But what have to ensure is that even if we do get beaten, we have been fighting and scratching for everything.
”We never did that against Rangers and Aberdeen and that was the most disappointing thing.
”You definitely get punished for your mistakes in this league.
”The teams have higher-end quality that can put you away if you are having an off day.
”But as well as Aberdeen played, we were nowhere near to where we can be and that was the reason for the defeat.”
He added, ”It is up to the players now.
”It is all right sitting around a table and talking about things but they have to show on the park that they have got that unity and spirit back.”