Callum Fordyce eyes Dunfermline return after 11 months

Callum Fordyce is poised to make his comeback from injury. Picture: SNS.

The Pars club captain has been sidelined since suffering a broken leg and dislocated ankle against Ayr United on 12 September last year. The defender has endured a long road to recovery since surgery to repair the damage but has battled back to fitness in recent weeks.

He was named among the substitutes for the League Cup defeat by Dundee United almost a fortnight ago and for Saturday’s opening-day victory over Dumbarton after proving his readiness with a series of outings for the under-20s and in friendlies.

The 24-year-old, who was only given a short-term deal in April because of his injury, could now finally make his long-awaited return for the first team at Easter Road.

The Fifers are without summer signing Lee Ashcroft because of suspension after the former Kilmarnock defender was sent off late in the 4-3 win against Dumbarton and manager Allan Johnston is considering Fordyce for a starting berth.

He said: “Lee is obviously suspended and that will be a big loss for us, because he’s started the season well. But we’re quite lucky, we’ve got a couple of other options. It’s an opportunity for someone to come in and play. Callum’s been in contention in the last couple of weeks, he’s been back playing. We’ve still to make a final decision on that. We’ve got options and we’ll have a chat to Callum and decide what the best way is, going forward.”

The contract Fordyce penned in the wake of Dunfermline’s League 1 title triumph expires at the end of August and was designed to allow the Pars to assess his recovery from such a serious injury.

A run-out and assured display against Hibs tomorrow would undoubtedly press his case for fresh terms.

Meanwhile, Dunfermline have signed 19-year-old forward Ciaran Lafferty, a former Celtic youth player and Scotland under-16 cap, on a deal until January.