Dunfermline boss Jim Jefferies says he is working flat out to strengthen his squad for the forthcoming First Division campaign.
Few were more disappointed to see SPL football offered to Dundee than the Pars manager on Monday, but Jefferies is now firmly focused on trying to mastermind the Fife side’s return to the top flight via promotion this term.
Even the weather has hampered the Pars’ preparations, with last night’s scheduled home friendly against East Fife called off at lunchtime due to torrential rain, but both sides will try again to fulfil the fixture this evening (7.30 kick-off).
Everyone at East End Park is still smarting over the SPL’s decision to favour Dundee over the Pars, but Jefferies is hoping off-the-field issues can now be put to one side.
”It has just been a nonsense but we’ve got to get on with it whatever grievance we have, the season starts in a week-and-a-half and we’ve just got to concentrate on playing football,” he said.
”We’d obviously still have liked to be in the Premier League but it’s worked out that we’re in the First Division and we have to live with that.
”We need now to look at the nucleus of young players in the squad and actively look to get experience in two or three positions, but it’s around-the-clock stuff at the moment.
”I’ve been preparing for the First Division but everything was put on hold with the chance we would be playing in the Premier League and some of the players I had lined up we’ve now lost. But the fans can expect to see one or two trialists in our friendly games.”
Jefferies admits Wednesday’s call-off was far from ideal after Saturday’s fixture at Berwick also fell by the wayside.
”It’s just one of those things and it’s been that type of close season,” he said. ”It is frustrating and I’ve got one or two trialists hanging about for a wee while now, but hopefully everything goes to plan and we get the game on.”
One bonus of the postponement was that the likes of Andy Dowie and Joe Cardle are likely to feature tonight, having been doubtful for last night, while former Aston Villa left-back Stephen O’Halloran and ex-Blackpool striker Stephen Husband are likely to be among the trialists on show.