Dunfermline will let teenagers Lewis Martin and Ryan Williamson link up with the Scotland Under-18 squad, even though the pair are likely to be needed for the first team this weekend.
Martin, a 17-year-old centre-back, made his debut for the Pars in the 4-2 comeback win over Ayr United on Saturday, while Williamson also 17 has broken into the starting XI in recent weeks after Ross Millen was sidelined with a stress fracture in his foot.
Both players’ progress at youth level has certainly not gone unnoticed and the duo have been selected by Scotland under-18 coach Ricky Sbragia as part of a 29-player squad due to take part in a two-day training camp at Largs as preparations for next year’s Uefa European Under-19 Championship qualifying round continue.
That could well affect Jefferies’ own preparations for the Pars’ league trip to Arbroath on Saturday, but the Pars boss has decided against pulling them out of the national set-up after speaking to SFA performance director Mark Wotte.
“I might have had to withdraw them but we have come to a compromise so they will report for their Scottish gathering this week,” he said.
“The two kids showed against Ayr why they are in that squad and I cannot speak highly enough about the young 17-year-old playing at centre-back, Lewis Martin.
“That was as good a debut for a 17-year-old playing against Kevin Kyle and the boy Michael Moffat who is one of the top scorers in the league.
“He was giving away a lot of years experience but I thought he was magnificent.”
Jefferies also heaped praise on young Williamson, whose mistake may have led to Ayr’s second goal but did not affect him in the remainder of the game.
“I thought that could have got to him but what a lot of character he showed for a 17-year-old, to come away and play like he did having made that mistake,” he added.
“It only made him more determined to go.”
The Pars’ victory over Ayr ensured the East End Park outfit stayed in second spot, three points ahead of third-placed Stranraer, and increased their cushion over the fourth-placed Somerset Park side to nine points.
“It was not easy for both sets of players but to put on a 4-2 show was terrific,” he added.
“It wasn’t a day for pretty football but when the ball was put on the deck we showed that we were better than Ayr and that’s what won us the game.”