Ryan working on his fitness

"I may not be as fit as some of the boys just now because it will take me a wee while to get back to where I was."

Ryan Wallace claims that the coming season is an important one for the club and not just for Ryan Wallace. He stressed:-

"It is not just about me, it is about Dunfermline getting to where we need to be and getting up into the Championship. I cannot wait for the season to start.

"I was looking forward to returning and doing a bit with the boys. It is pretty hard when you have been out for five months before it. It is a relief to get back although I am not fully fit."

The 24 year old had his double hernia operation before the time of the play off final and was present to see Dunfermline take on Cowdenbeath in the play off final. He told the website just how difficult that proved to be and his preparations en route to returning to action:-

"It was hard watching from the stand and not being able to help your team out. I did a bit with Kenny Murray over the summer and I couldn't wait to come back in. Five months is along time to be out; I was chomping at the bit to get back in and get going again.

"None of the players dread pre season anymore. With Neil McCann and John Potter taking the training the ball has come out since day one. The boys were reasonably fit when they came back, they look really really fit now - sharp - and the quality in training is getting better and better every day.

"If you said to a player that you were coming back to do running then I think that they would dread it. But as soon as you hear that the ball is coming out, as much as it may be a bit of disguised running you are still getting your touch back and playing football while you are getting fitter."

Ryan considers that to be the way forward now and feels that Neil McCann and John Potter have hit the nail on the head. The striker who has scored 25 goals in 72 Dunfermline appearances, says that it is good to be back after a punishing route back under the instruction of the Club physio.

"I am just delighted to be back, in the fold again and in training. I may not be as fit as some of the boys just now because it will take me a wee while to get back to where I was."

Ryan views the new signings as being a very good piece of business - "the Manger has gone out and bought the three best players in the league from last season. You cannot argue with his signings; they have all looked brilliant in training. They look fit, sharp, Michael Moffat will score goals, Andy Stirling will create chances and Gregor Buchanan will just go and defend as he has done for Airdrie. It is not a hard place to come and fit in but the new boys have fitted in brilliantly."

Exciting and with ups and downs is how Ryan Wallace describes his view of the new season. "I am sure that the manager would tell you that we cannot win every game, we would love to but I don't think that's possible with such a young squad.

"I am still learning and I think Neil McCann and John Potter would tell you that they are still learning. We just have to deal with the ups and downs as they come but I am sure that the fans will be behind us 100% as we try to get this club back to where we want to be."