Dunfermline update from James McPake ahead of Inverness game

The keeper was hurt in a collision with Arabs striker Louis Moult and was replaced at half-time with Harry Sharp playing the second half.

Pars boss James McPake, who is also hopeful that Michael O'Halloran and Ben Summers will be available for the visit of Inverness, said: "Deniz came off with concussion so we've been assessing him and following protocol.

Dunfermline goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet was injured during the match with Dundee United. (Image: Craig Brown)

"Obviously with a head injury we'll never take any chances but he's feeling a lot better."

Mehmet has not long returned to the first team, he suffered an ankle injury in July and was out until the match against Ayr on October 21.

Michael O'Halloran was also forced off with an injury during the match against Dundee United. (Image: Craig Brown)

McPake continued: "He got caught in the ribs and the head, it was a sore one and completely unintentional from the United player, but that's being a goalkeeper. Things like that happen.

"Credit to big Den, he wanted to play on but the doctor did a great job in identifying that he wasn't fit and ready to go back out and we were never going to take any chances."

Rhys Breen and Kyle Benedictus remain sidelined, with a hamstring injury and thigh strain respectively, while O'Halloran, who also had to be replaced during the United game last Friday, is recovering.

McPake said: "It was a knee in the back and it stiffened up. He's a bit sore, there's tightness in the lower back but he's improving and hopefully will be available for the weekend.

"Hopefully Ben Summers will be back too, we'll wait and see. He's got an ankle niggle that he can't seem to shake off.

"We have been unlucky with injuries but I think most clubs would say the same.

"That's football unfortunately.

"Right now though the squad is as strong as it's been at any part of the season and we've obviously got Kyle and Rhys to come back into it."

A major plus was the return of Matty Todd and Kane Ritchie-Hosler against the league leaders and both youngsters looked good when they came off the bench.

Todd hadn't featured since the 4-0 league cup win over Annan on July 18 and needed an operation on his ankle while the luckless Ritchie-Hosler also required ankle surgery in the summer.

He made his first appearance of the season against Inverness on September 2 but then damaged his knee, going under the knife for the second time in a matter of months and facing more rehab.

Kane Ritchie-Hosler, who has undergone operations on his ankle and knee this season, returned against Dundee United. (Image: Craig Brown)

McPake acknowledged: "It's been a tough time for both players.

"On a personal note, seeing them back in training, enjoying themselves again and working hard, that's the biggest benefit.

"And what the two of them can add to the team, that's good for us as well."

Pars will face an Inverness side on Saturday that haven't lost since Duncan Ferguson took over as manager in late September.

The five game run includes an away win at Arbroath, a point at Tannadice and home wins over Ayr and Airdrie, as well as a Caledonian Stadium stalemate against Partick Thistle.

McPake said: "I've seen a lot of them and I've been really impressed. Since Duncan's come in I don't think he's lost a game.

"He had a fantastic career as a player obviously but he's got real experience as a coach as well, working under some elite level managers.

"So he's got bags of experience as a player and a coach and now as a manager he's gone in and had his time at Forest Green.

"They were really impressive against Dundee United and equally as impressive against Ayr United so it's going to be a really tough game."