Dunfermline: Chris Kane returned from injury against Falkirk

Before facing Falkirk the 29-year-old had only played 45 minutes - as a second half substitute in last month's Premier Sports Cup tie at The Spartans - since returning to the club on a permanent basis from St Johnstone in the summer.

His return to action with just under an hour gone was one of very few positives on another difficult afternoon for the Pars, which saw them lose 2-0 for a second successive week.

The next match isn't until August 24 at Hamilton and Kane is hopeful he'll be given the nod to lead Dunfermline's attack and help them find their first league points of the Championship season.

"Obviously it was disappointing to get beat. We wanted to win that game but, on a personal note, that’s me back fit now," he said.

"It has been a frustrating first few weeks of the season. I wanted to hit the ground running here but it never happened. Now I need to focus on keeping myself fit to hopefully get myself back in that team and help the boys get results.

"I just had a wee nick on my ankle, and it was one of those where you are not sure if you are ready, you try and it’s not quite ready. You just have to manage it and make sure it was right before I came back.

READ MORE: 'It's our biggest game and it's sore to lose it' says Pars boss

"I could have gambled last week, but we decided not to so I could make sure that I was ready for this game.

“I felt good and a few boys said that I looked sharp as well. It was a wee confidence boost but there’s a lot of work to be done. I know myself that I could be fitter, I just need to focus and make sure I get that fitness back.

"I feel like I could start a game, at the end of the day it is the manager who decides. I’m going to work my socks off for the next two weeks to make sure that I’m ready.

Chris Kane is aiming for a start in Dunfermline's next match. (Image: Craig Brown.)

"If he selects me, perfect. If not, I will be ready to come on to help the boys."

Manager James McPake commented: "He wanted to start today but I think we’ve got to be clever with him.

"We’ve now got two weeks so I’m sure by the time we go to Hamilton Chris will be available to start.

“I think he made a difference. He’s a Premiership level striker and when you’ve not got one of your better players then it’s going to hurt any team.

"Chris Kane, in my opinion, would play in any team in this league. He'd be good enough for any squad in this league. That’s why we were so desperate to get him.

"He’s been unfortunate over the summer but he’ll be a good player for this football club and he will score goals for this football club.

"He’s a long way short of match sharpness, but we’ll work with him and we’ll have him ready to go at Hamilton."