Dunfermline Athletic's Kane Ritchie-Hosler faces another operation and a further spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury in training.

The talented 21-year-old, who joined the Pars on a three-year deal in the summer after leaving Rangers, had only just returned to the team after injurying his ankle in the pre-season.

Now manager James McPake has revealed a knee injury requires surgery.

The Pars boss said: "As a group, and I include everyone at the football club, we are devastated for the kid.

"He worked ever so hard to get back from his ankle surgery. He got himself back and he played in a reserve game, and did great; he came on at Inverness, and did great; he was training really well and then he just blocks a shot in training and it opens up his knee a little bit.

"Thankfully it is just a tidy up, but it's another blow for Kane because he's been working really hard and he's desperate to get back out there."

Ritchie-Hosler became a firm favourite with the supporters during his spell on loan at Dunfermline last season, and McPake added; "I'm sure our fan base will get right behind him and support him through this."