Dunfermline closing in on Spanish goalkeeper

Former Hearts and Kilmarnock boss Jefferies succeeded Jim McIntyre at Dunfermline last week and recognised the need for a goalkeeper to challenge and back up Chris Smith in the Pars’ bid for Clydesdale Bank Premier League survival.

First-choice Paul Gallacher is out for the season with a shoulder injury, while Iain Turner returned to parent club Preston after injury brought a premature end to his loan deal.

With Smith his only senior stopper and reluctant to thrust young goalkeepers into a relegation battle, Jefferies has been searching and Fernandez is set to join.

A statement on Dunfermline’s official website, www.dafc.co.uk, read: “DAFC have agreed to sign Bernardo Dominguez Fernandez subject to international clearance. Bernardo is a 32-year-old Spanish goalkeeper from Zafra, Badajoz. His previous club was SD Huesca who play in Segunda Division.

“Bernardo left Huesca in January 2012 after his second spell at the club, making a total of 43 appearances. Bernardo has also played for Siero, Amurrio, Orihuela, Alaves, Tenerife (loan), and Recreativo.”

Dunfermline hope to complete the deal imminently, but it may be next week before Fernandez arrives. Jefferies said: “It will give cover for Chris and a bit of competition. If anything happened to Chris it would be very difficult for the two young kids. In the predicament we’re in, the last thing you want to do is throw youngsters in. Bernardo is experienced. He’s played most of his time in the second division in Spain.

“There’s not a lot of options for us at this point and he’ll help us. We’re trying to make sure the paperwork is done and we will require international clearance.”

Jefferies takes the Pars to Tannadice on Saturday for his second game in charge against in-form Dundee United.

Jefferies, who had Neil McCann in attendance at training yesterday as the former Scotland international attempts to achieve his coaching qualifications, has now been in charge for a week and was encouraged by the performance in the 1-1 draw with St Mirren.

“We took a step forward last week, although a small one, gaining a point on the team above us and hopefully we can close that gap,” said Jefferies, whose side moved three points behind 11th-placed Hibernian with the draw.

“I thought we showed great determination to come back, so that’s a step in the right direction. Everybody gets on, everybody’s pulling for each other – I’ve got to make sure they keep believing they can do it and keep being positive.”

The move to Dunfermline has set up an intriguing relegation battle involving Jefferies, who spent much of the time between his departure from Hearts in August and his appointment at East End Park playing golf, and familiar foes.

Jefferies reported his friend and long-time assistant Billy Brown, now the assistant manager at Hibs, believes he is in good health.

“He said he’s not seen me as bubbly as I am at the moment for a couple of years,” Jefferies said. “He knows I’m enjoying it, I’m getting a response from the players and we’ll see what happens.”