Dunfermline made deadline day bid for Cardiff's Malachi Fagan-Walcott

James McPake has revealed that the Pars had made a late attempt to bring the Cardiff City defender back to KDM Group East End Park before the summer window closed in Scotland and England on Friday evening.

The 22-year-old centre back enjoyed a successful loan spell with Athletic during the second part of last term, making 15 appearances and scoring three goals, to help them consolidate their place in the Championship.

As the closure of the transfer window loomed, McPake spoke of his hope of making a couple of signings, but went into Saturday's draw with Ayr United with no further additions.

Fagan-Walcott, who has appeared three times for his parent club this season, has subsequently joined National League York City on loan for the duration of the season, and McPake told Press Sport: "To be fair to the club, we had an offer put in for Malachi Fagan-Walcott.

"It was accepted earlier in the week, but then a couple of teams in England came in, and Cardiff thought it was beneficial to send Malachi out in England again.

Malachi Fagan-Walcott impressed on loan with Dunfermline last season. (Image: Craig Brown.)

"That's not a decision I particularly agree with, but maybe I'm biased, although I can see Cardiff's point of view as well.

"We missed out on him in the end but we've still got this full month to do any domestic loans.

"From the conversations I had with him, he was pretty keen to come back, but he is a Cardiff City player. He's come on in the Championship for them this season, he's started in the Carabao Cup, so I think he's got a future there.

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"They're looking to get him out on loan in England, so that was kind of taken out of our hands."

Dunfermline, however, can still recruit despite the closure of the transfer window.

In addition to being able to sign players who are unattached, and who haven't been registered with another club this season, they can sign players on loan, throughout September, from within Scotland.

"I'll go back on record and say I'm not a fan of it," McPake commented.

"I preferred it when everything shut on the last day in August, but that's the way it is just now, since Covid, so we'll just deal with that, and keep working to try and strengthen the squad."

James McPake can still utilise the domestic loan market throughout September. (Image: Craig Brown.)

The Pars will take a break from league action to enter the SPFL Trust Trophy this Saturday, with a trip to League Two East Fife, and McPake said he will assess the fitness of skipper, Kyle Benedictus.

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He was substituted at half-time against the Honest Men and McPake, who said Chris Kane and Lewis McCann were both fine after they also went off in that match, added: "We'll assess Bene later on in the week.

"He is carrying a bit of nerve issue in his back. I'll certainly not be risking him if I don't need to, or if he's not feeling great.

"Again, it's not the fault of East Fife, but the pitch up there is pretty tough. It's not a great artificial pitch by any stretch of the imagination. We played up there in a friendly earlier in the season, and the pitch isn't great, but it's the same for both teams.

"That will come into play for some of our players. We'll assess that and if we see the benefit in some of them missing the game, or if we think we can get them through it."

Tommy Fogarty, who made his Pars debut on Saturday after signing on loan from Birmingham City, will also be absent for the game as he links-up with Nothern Ireland's under-21 squad.