Manager on Friday

28/05/10:- "Steven McDougall will need an operation on his toe. He will go in for surgery on 8th June and so he will miss pre season.

Jim McIntyre gave an update for the website on Friday:-

Following the draw against Arbroath in the MG Alba Challenge Cup the clubs had cancelled the friendly previously arranged against the Third Division club at Gayfield on Tuesday 7th July. That was before the two were paired again for the Co-operative Insurance Cup the following week. Naturally the Manager was happy with the home draws.

Austin McCann will be Club Captain for the forthcoming season and Macca feels that the responsibility that came with the armband brought the best out of Ozzie. "He did a fantastic job."

The Manager reported that Graham Bayne's foot operation had gone well and the anticipated eight week rehab is progressing as expected. The striker will start light jogging on Thursday 3rd June. "Fitness will take some time to regain and we have given him a short term contract to make sure that the operation has been successful." That contract is until the end of July but if Graham proves his fitness then another contract will be on offer.

Ross County's Alex Keddie joined Dunfermline this week and the defender who played in last season's Scottish Cup ties against Hibs, Celtic and Dundee United is considered a good capture given his performance against superior opponents. Jim McIntyre is delighted to get Alex:- "He is big, solid and strong and is a very good talker as well. He is an organiser and will bring that to the team."

Goalkeeper Kyle Allison has been signed from Inverness Caley Thistle as a no.2. The Manager had watched him in reserve games and had received good reports about the 20 year old who hails from Dalgety Bay. Macca hopes to have a first choice keeper by the time pre season training starts on 24th June. "I have a few irons in the fire" he added.

The playing squad were all issued with fitness sheets and they all know what they will be coming back to. There will be tests on the first day but Macca fully expects them to return with a good level of fitness. "They are a good bunch and they know that they have to work hard. Fitness levels were excellent last season and we will have a similar programme for this pre season."

Having cancelled the Arbroath friendly, Dunfermline will seek a fixture for Saturday 10th July. East Fife, Manchester United XI, Aberdeen, Hearts and Arbroath in the Alba Challenge Cup will give the team six games before the Co-operative Insurance Cup kicks off on 31st July.

The opposition that Manchester United will provide will be young up and coming players since their first team squad will be in North America in July to play Celtic in Toronto before taking in matches in USA and Guadalajara, Mexico. Macca felt that even three or four levels below the first team Man Utd will provide a real test. "They will be strong and I'm looking forward to the game. I just hope that the fans will turn out to see the up and coming stars in the flesh." A number of years ago Wayne Rooney played in the Everton team that Davie Moyes brought to East End Park for a pre season friendly so who knows who can be uncovered when this Manchester United side come to town.

With Falkirk, Stirling Albion and Cowdenbeath coming into the league where Raith Rovers already provide derby rivalry, next season should be one to kindle the fans interest. Jim commented:- "Hopefully that will give us some great games with better atmosphere. Everyone from the coaching staff to the players and the fans will enjoy the excitement of these games."

Jim McIntyre kept his bad news for the end:-

"Steven McDougall will need an operation on his toe. He will go in for surgery on 8th June and so he will miss pre season. The recovery time indicates that Steven will be out for four weeks.

Finally Macca's tip for the World Cup:- Spain. He has been impressed by the way Spain can retain possession and feels that their opponents will tire just trying to get on the ball.