Pre Season Update

The Manager is hoping that the pre season opponents from SPL and First Division will make his players work hard.

The Manager is hoping that the pre season opponents from SPL and First Division will make his players work hard.

"It is all about gearing towards the first competitive game. The process of pre season games and training are all part and parcel towards working towards that. We have said to the players to give 100% in training and we just try and vary it as much as we can."

Callum Morris has not yet been able to join in the training since his end of season hamstring injury is not fully mended. He is expected to join in by Wednesday. This was a precautionary move instructed by the physio Kenny Murray.

Ryan Wallace went over on his ankle on the training pitch on day one back so he will rest up until about Wednesday as well.

Currently on trial with Dunfermline is Kevin Buchan, the youth is a striker released by Dundee. Kevin scored a hat trick at East End Park in April in the Dens Park club's 5-0 win over a very young Pars under 20s team.

The Manager was pleased to have the player in but he is due to travel down to Huddersfield Town on Monday for a trial there.

"I need to convince him that if he stays here he has a better chance of playing. He has looked the part. They don't know much about him but just want to have a look at him on somebody's recommendation. We will see what he decides."

There is a possibility of players coming in on loan but Jefferies would not divulge names since it is up to the clubs they are currently with to confirm that. The gaffer acknowledged that any on loan player must come with the expectation of getting regular games:-

"What is the point of them coming here to sit on the bench, they can do that at their own club."

The squad is already well catered for in central midfield with Andy Geggan, Stephen Husband, Josh Falkingham, Shaun Byrne and Ryan Thomson.

"We have one or two good young kids who might eventually improve as the season goes on. We feel that we are maybe short in central defence. We have just Callum Morris and Kerr Young with Grant Munro moving on but Lewis Martin is one we would look to come through.

"I certainly need another striker because you need cover in case of injuries. Maybe a wide player and then of course we only have two goalkeepers in Michal Hrivnak and Ryan Goodfellow. You really need three in case of injury so we need somebody who can maybe push those two."

Twenty year old striker Blair Henderson decided not to accept the monthly terms that those out of contract were offered by the administrator through the close season. The Manager explained:-

"He was offered a contract like everybody else on the basis that we are in administration. We wanted to give him another year but was offered short term contracts like boys like Allan Smith. They accepted these contracts to keep getting paid until the new owners come in and then we will tie them in on a longer term basis.

"He thinks the offer is not good enough. I heard that he is training somewhere else but nobody can sign him without paying money for compensation because he has come through the youth system. It is unfortunate because he did well last season and all his mates have come in on that basis. He is the only player that we have lost to that situation.

"Before the competitive games start we have three tough friendlies against teams that will be far more experienced. Even Gary Locke who looks at his team as young but he has players like Jamie Stevenson and Jamie Hamill over 29 so I said to him 'when you come and play us you will find out all about youngsters'.

"It will be good if we put up a good account of ourselves. The most important thing for me - there are no points at stake but you want to win and compete well. At the end of the day it is not about the result but making sure that you get match practice. Nothing brings you on better than matches.

"We will have had ten days under our belt before we face Hearts. There will be mistakes made but they just need to concentrate hard and at the end of the day if we come off the pitch having given a good account of ourselves I will be more that delighted."

PICTURES: PRE SEASON TRAINING DAY TWO

PICTURES: PRE SEASON TRAINING DAY THREE