DUNFERMLINE forward Lewis McCann has agreed a new contract with the club after it was announced that defender Ross Graham has departed.

The Northern Ireland under-21 cap, 20, has put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at East End until May 31 2024.

McCann, who has started every game under John Hughes, has scored three goals in his last six appearances and, speaking to the media this afternoon, the Pars boss was thrilled to secure his signature.

"He's done very very well," Hughes said.

"He's got a lot of work in front of him but I think everybody sees that, if he wants to keep his head down and keep his feet firmly on the ground, and become a better footballer, then I think he's got bags and bags of potential.

"I can see he's flourishing getting picked every week. I'm absolutely delighted to get him tied down."

News of McCann's contract came after it was confirmed that centre back Graham, 20, has returned to parent club Dundee United.

Brought in on a season-long loan by previous manager Peter Grant in the summer, he played in Dunfermline's first seven league and cup matches this season, but Septenmber's 3-1 loss at Ayr United was his penultimate appearance.

His final game in a Pars shirt came in November's 2-1 win at Inverness - which was 24 hours after Hughes was appointed - and he follows Vytas Gaspuitis in exiting the club.

READ MORE: Pars sign County defender Donaldson as Gaspuitis departs

McCann's deal comes after it was confirmed Lewis Martin, who returned to the squad for Sunday's game at Raith Rovers for the first time since the final game of the curtailed 2019/20 season, had agreed a contract until the end of the season.

Talks remain ongoing between the Pars and Dundee United over the future of Mark Connolly, whose loan from Tannadice is due to end this month.

Hughes also revealed after the Raith match that winger Kai Kennedy, who also joined on a season-long loan in the summer, had been recalled by Rangers.

We will have more on these stories, plus interviews with Hughes, Martin and new signing Coll Donaldson, who arrived yesterday (Monday) on loan from Ross County, in this week's Press Sport.

Meanwhile, Dunfermline's rearranged match with Inverness Caledonian Thistle has been confirmed to be played on Saturday January 22.

The game had been due to played on December 29 at East End, but the game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

The date is free as it is the weekend of the fourth round of the Scottish Cup, a competition both clubs were knocked out of in the third round.

Seven days prior, Dunfermline host Hamilton Academical, and the club have confirmed 500 fans will be permitted to attend.

Crowds were placed under limited numbers from Boxing Day as part of protective measures against the Omicron variant of COVID-19 by the Scottish Government, and the Pars elected to play their Boxing Day match at home to Arbroath behind closed doors.

500 season ticket holders, however, will be admitted to the Hamilton fixture, with details of how supporters can apply to be made available in due course.