ATHLETIC are trying to complete transfer business before tonight's deadline and will also explore options beyond it.

James McPake says that there are "a couple that we are of hopeful of" as the clock ticks down to the closure of the summer transfer window.

Clubs in Scotland, and England, have until 11pm to complete deals, but there is scope for further activity beyond that for the Pars.

Teams in the SPFL Championship, League One and League Two, in addition to being able to sign free agents who have not been registered with another club this season, can bring in domestic loan players from a higher division during September.

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That is something McPake will look at but, speaking to the media earlier today ahead of tomorrow's clash with Ayr United, he confirmed that they are trying to complete deals this evening.

"We are conscious that the international window shuts tonight. When I say international, I just mean the English market shuts tonight, because there are certainly no international players coming in," he explained.

"This window, for fans and everyone in Scotland, it flatters to deceive at times unless you are in the Premier League. All your incomers need to come. Even on that, the Premier League teams can still do business in this loan window that opens.

"It makes it tougher just because teams hold on to players. I’d much prefer it if everything could get done by today then you would know where you were at.

"There are a couple that we are hopeful of but we will know that in good time for tomorrow if the ones from England get done tonight."

READ MORE: Pars 'still speaking to players' as boss hopes for further signings

Addressing the possibility of exploring loan deals beyond the closure of tonight's window, McPake continued: "I much preferred it the way it was before.

"I remember being in this league and having to do the deals by tonight basically - get everything done and teams in the Premier League knew who they wanted to get out.

"I understand why teams in the Premiership have done it, but now it’s a fact that they need to wait to see who they get in, see who they keep and there will be certain teams who will lose today. They will be trying as much as they can to get new ones in and finalise squads.

"Every other league is waiting on what happens in the Premiership. It is tough but then you get that wee bit of security from the loan window and then things start happening but by that point you are sometimes at the end of September.

"That’s not ideal for anyone, I’m not saying just for us. Every team would much rather have had their squad ready and good to go by now.

"We were trying to get it done by yesterday but, if those two come in, I will still be hoping to utilise the Scottish market.

"Good players will become available in Scotland over the next week or so when the Premiership clubs firm up their squads. I’d like to hope that we can still do a bit in the Scottish market as well."

In Tuesday's reserve match with Queen's Park, McPake watched trialist - former Motherwell midfielder, Craig Clay - net in a 2-0 win.

"Craig has been excellent since he came in so Craig is in that situation where he is free of a transfer window," he added.

"Craig can get himself settled at any club at any point. He has done really well."