Dunfermline could be handed an early Christmas present this afternoon with striker Ryan Wallace expected to return to action after a lengthy lay-off.
Wallace, who has made just two appearances for the Pars this term, has been out since August after suffering a stress fracture on his pelvis, but he could soon be back in the black and white to help bolster his team’s promotion push.
The 24-year-old rejoined training with the first team early last week and now needs some valuable game time to improve his match fitness, with today’s Development League fixture at home to Aberdeen likely to provide that.
“It will be like getting another player in,” Pars boss Jim Jefferies commented.
“There’s still quite a few games to go so if he can get another couple of games under his belt in the 20s then we could get him back before the turn of the year.
“Certainly the Boxing Day game has got to be his target.
“It’s about getting him a couple of games and seeing how he reacts, but he’s still to get into the day-to-day training.”
The Pars will be hoping Wallace’s return will help them put a dismal week behind them.
The 3-1 loss to Stranraer in the Scottish Cup a week ago saw them miss out on a potentially lucrative fifth round tie at home to Dundee United, while that was followed by a 3-1 defeat in the league away to Airdrieonians.
Next up is a home game in the league against title rivals Stranraer, although that game is likely to come too early for Wallace as he aims to build up his fitness.
“The injury was holding him back, we found the root of the problem with the fracture in his pelvis, and now he’s raring to get going,” he continued.
“The physio says he’s looked sharp and good with all the work he’s done, so it will be a boost.
“We just need to get everybody fit for the second half of the season.”