ATHLETIC are working to add a goalkeeper to their squad ahead of their opening Championship match of the season at Livingston this weekend.

James McPake will take his team to West Lothian for the second time in three weeks, with the teams having previously met in the Premier Sports Cup, on Saturday and is keen to add competition for Deniz Mehmet.

Press Sport understands that the club have been exploring options as they work to seal a signing, but they had not brought one in before we went to print.

Following the home loss to Cove Rangers on Saturday, which ended a disappointing Group E campaign with a third successive defeat for Dunfermline, who exited the competition, McPake said he has had "goalkeepers targeted".

Prior to their previous trip to Livingston's Home of the Set Fare Arena, the club had announced the signing of former Celtic youth, Kai McLean, on a short-term basis.

They had hoped to include him in the squad for that game, but he didn't feature due to his registration having not come through from the Scottish Football Association.

Three days later chairman and CEO, David Cook, offered his "sincere apologies" for what he said was "an error on my side" after McLean's registration was rejected as he would "need to be registered until the January transfer window" under SPFL rules.

In each of their four Premier Sports Cup games, the Pars did not have a goalkeeper on their bench, and McPake said: "I have had goalkeepers targeted. I’m not naive enough to not do my homework.

"We are limited in terms of a squad but, in every other position, like Taylor (Sutherland) coming on for a striker, Andrew Tod can come on for a number 10, we have got young ones that can come on. We have not got that in the goalkeeper position as a club so that is disappointing.

"I feel for Deniz (Mehmet) in his situation. I have never been a goalkeeper but, obviously, being a centre half when you are struggling for form, you can play your way out of that. I get it, but at times you need a bit of help.

"We don’t have any help for Deniz, which is very difficult for a goalkeeper I imagine. Speaking to the goalie coach, speaking to Deniz, it is certainly a time where he needs help."

Dunfermline have, so far, brought forward Chris Kane, attacking midfielder David Wotherspoon, and left back Kieran Ngwenya, into their squad this summer.