Dunfermline manager Jim Jefferies could soon have a difficult decision to make after confirmation only one of the Dundee United players on loan at the club will be able to stay on past January.
Three Tannadice youth players joined Dunfermline on loan earlier this season but a rule change means Jefferies will only be able to extend the loan deal if agreed by all parties of either midfielder Ryan Ferguson or striker Jordan Moore.
Central defender Luke Johnston had been the third United player but his loan was ended early and he has now joined League Two side Montrose on a temporary transfer.
“Had they been signed until the end of the season, they would have been OK but, because they would have to re-sign a new contract in January, that’s when the ‘one-player-per-club’ rule kicks in,” he said.
“We’re only allowed one of the three players so I’ve got to make a decision. The two boys might not want to stay and I think Fergie misses playing regularly so if he gets an opportunity elsewhere he might take it.
“Jordan might be the same or they might want to stay and battle for a place. That’s up to them and we’re busy looking around if they don’t to see what we can do to bring someone in.
“The two are good lads to work with, there are no problems there, and they understand that we can’t guarantee them a game.
“You’ve got to be fair to them because they go out on loan to try to get regular games if they don’t, what’s the point in coming to any club?
“They would be better off staying where they are in that case but we’ll sort that out in the next week or so.”
Jefferies added that he felt Johnston returning to United was the best decision for all concerned.
He continued: “Luke fell out of the picture a wee bit and, like any boy who comes on loan, I often have chats with them.
“I told him at the start of the season: ‘We can’t guarantee you a game, you have to come down here and earn it’.
“He got a wee spell into it and then he went off the boil a wee bit and lost his place. Jackie (McNamara) said Montrose could take Luke right away so it was an easy decision because he’s better playing.”
The Pars’ preparations for Saturday’s trip to Ayr United in the league have been rocked by the news that full-back Ross Millen has developed a stress fracture in his foot and could be out for a number of weeks.
That could mean another start for 17-year-old Ryan Williamson, who played in the 1-1 draw at home to Forfar last week.
“He must have been playing in the game against Ayr with it, so it says a lot for him because he had it checked before and they couldn’t detect it,” Jefferies added.
“But it’s now turned out to be a stress fracture, so either it wasn’t when it was scanned or it was just about to happen and by playing he felt it really sore in training.
“He’s going to miss about three or four games. I’m glad Ryan (Williamson) got game time because he’s the obvious replacement.”
On the Forfar game, Jefferies added: “We didn’t play well last week, and I think there was a reaction from the cup, although I think subconsciously they might have been looking forward to the Christmas party.
“It looked that way, so they were reminded about that at half-time and they came out and did something about it. Yes, Forfar had chances, but it wasn’t through their excellent play, it was through our mistakes.
“I think on the second half performance on pressure, maybe not on chances, we deserved to get something from the game.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Scott Mercer has returned to the club following his short loan spell at Albion Rovers.