ATHLETIC are unlikely to go into tomorrow's Championship opener with a new goalkeeper in their squad.

James McPake has revealed that, whilst they are "still trying" and are speaking to potential targets, he doesn't look set to have a new face in his pool for the match at Livingston.

Throughout their Premier Sports Cup campaign, Dunfermline did not have a registered goalkeeper on the bench to provide cover and competition for number one, Deniz Mehmet.

Ahead of their match at Livi, in Group E of the Premier Sports Cup, a fortnight ago, the Pars announced the signing of former Celtic youth goalkeeper, Kai McLean, on a short-term basis.

Dunfermline Press:

However, their bid to have him registered with the SFA was rejected as he would have had to be registered until the January transfer window under SPFL rules, and chairman and CEO, David Cook, offered his "sincere apologies" for what he said was "an error on my side".

Following the match with Cove Rangers on Saturday, McPake said the club were working on trying to bring in a goalkeeper before tomorrow's game, it appears that won't happen.

Youth goalkeeper, Lewis Briggs, will be in the squad for tomorrow's match, and addressing whether bringing in a new shot-stopper, McPake said: "We're still trying.

"We're speaking to a couple of different ones. I don't think anything will be done by tomorrow's game.

READ MORE: 'We'll be ready for Livi' says Rhys

"Lewis Briggs will be in the squad. He's been training really well all week. He's looking good so he deserves his chance in the squad."

McPake also said that forward Chris Kane - who has played just 45 minutes so far, as a second half substitute at The Spartans - won't be fit for tomorrow but could return to training early next week.

"Very high," was the manager's reply when asked if he there was a likelihood of seeing him in action soon.

"We’ll hopefully have him training Sunday, Monday. He was down at training today doing wee bits and pieces, so he’s very close.

"Again, at the minute, it’s just a call we’ve made. Do we get him back for the bench on Saturday? Or do we wait? And we’ve made the decision to wait.

"Sam (Fisher) is fine and Craig Wighton’s fine; he’s trained this week.

"Matty (Todd) is back running. He’s got no sling, so he can tie his laces and cut his food!

"He had Dave (Mackay) tying his laces and cutting his food up for him for a couple of weeks there, so it’s good to have him back, and seeing a smile on his face.

"I don’t know how long he’ll be but it’s just funny seeing how excited he is that he can now do things on his own!"