Manager on Thursday

23/11/17: Allan Johnston - "Right now we don`t need to recall anyone from loans and we have the option to bring people in."

Allan Johnston told his Thursday media conference that his midfielder Aaron Splaine was going through an operation following his leg break in the Fife Cup Semi Final match against Burntisland Shipyard at Kelty on Wednesday night.

"He was really unfortunate. It wasn`t as if it was a challenge, he just went right over on his ankle. It is really disappointing to pick up an injury like that. We just have to make sure that we look after him and that everything is done right with his rehab back to full fitness."

Aaron can take confidence from the fact that the surgeon in charge of his operation was the one who operated on Ryan Williamson.

The manager revealed that his plan was that the three senior players in last night`s Fife Cup tie were only going to be involved for an hour and Aaron`s injury came just ten minutes before his intended substitution. He continued:-

"It is one of those things that can happen anytime. We are gutted for him but he is a strong character and somebody who will work really hard to get back.

"He has had a couple of injuries in the past but he is a worked, he will get his head down and get his head round it as well which is an important part."

Even as he was propped up awaiting the ambulance Aaron showed remarkable spirit and endured what must have been a painful experience.

"We did not want to move him but he has seen the specialist, getting the operation today and hopefully that is him back on to the road to recovery already."

The success of Ryan Williamson`s return from months out to first team football and ultimately international appearances for Scotland Under 21s can be an inspiration to the unlucky 21 year old who joined Dunfermline in the summer after two years at Kilmarnock and a year out. The gaffer expanded:-

"It gives you a lot of confidence knowing that somebody has been through that before. He has come back probably even better than he was before. He is at a similar age as well and I`m sure that will help Aaron."

It was the thirteenth Dunfermline appearance for the player whose squad number is also number 13. Aaron`s injury does leave the squad short in numbers, especially with five of the younger players out on loan. On Tuesday night with Kallum Higginbotham and Declan McManus suspended there were only six players named on the bench. The manager said that is something that he will need to look at.

"I am not in a major rush but obviously we will need to start planning and organising. Whether we need somebody just now or in January, we will definitely be strengthening the squad."

Michael Paton returned to competitive action for the first time since the start of September in the Championship game on Tuesday night and was one of the senior players who started at Kelty on Wednesday night. The manager said calling back some of his on loan players was an option but these players had been put out on loan to get game time.

"Right now we don`t need to recall anyone from loans and we have the option to bring people in."

This week is a big opportunity for the Pars with two home matches in five days after being on the road for over a month. AJ added:-

"I thought we started really brightly against Morton. We were by far the better team, we got the goal and that is when we have to make sure that we get the second goal as well. We have to capitalise on the good play and the pressure that we put on them.

"We lost a poor goal from our point of view. I thought we were the better team in the second half but for all the good play there was not a cutting edge and we did not work the keeper enough. We got into really good areas but there has to be an end product. That is something that we have to work on."

AJ was pleased with the way Andy Ryan came in and immediately worked a good understanding with Nicky Clark.

"He is a goalscorer and you can see in and around the box he is deadly. If he gets half a chance he will take it. There was a lot of good play and I thought Fraser Aird picked up in really good positions and was unlucky not to score as well.

"There was a lot of good stuff, we have guys coming back and we have Callum Smith who has done really well too.

Expecting Saturday`s opponents to sit in and try and frustrate Dunfermline, the manager hopes for an early goal to open the game up.

"A bit more space to play. That is where the crowd is important, especially to get right behind the team from the start of the game. When we don`t score they get frustrated sometimes.

"Away from home it is more difficult to pick up full points. We need to improve on that. We could do with a few more wins away from home."

Asked to comment on the cup draw that brings Morton back to East End, the gaffer said:-

"Playing the same teams week in week out gets a bit monotonous for everyone. Still it is great opportunity to get through to the next round.

"We have a lot of home games that month as well. I suppose it could have been worse."

Related Stories

• Preview Dumbarton
• Fife Cup v Burntisland Shipyard
• Dunfermline 1 Morton 1
• Queens Park 1 Dunfermline 4