Dunfermline poised to bring Turner on loan

Dunfermline Atheltic could be set to secure the loan signing of Preston North End goalkeeper Iain Turner today.

East End Park manager Jim McIntyre has confirmed that the SPL’s bottom club are in discussions with the League One side, with a view to the player moving north of the border until the end of the season.

If the deal is completed, the player could be in line to make his debut in Saturday’s vital relegation clash against Hibs in Fife.

Turner, who has been involved in a number of Scotland squads but is yet to make his senior bow, joined Preston in the summer after eight years at Everton. However an injury saw Turner drop out of the first-team picture at Deepdale, and the 27-year-old is now desperate to attain regular football again.

McIntyre has made the procuring of a keeper his number one priority in this transfer window, with a shoulder injury ruling Paul Gallacher out for the season.

Chris Smith is currently the club’s only senior custodian, backed up by 19-year-old Ryan Goodfellow who is yet to play for Dunfermline’s senior side.

If the move for Turner transpires, it is likely to signal the end of the Pars’ interest in American goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra.

The towering stopper featured for Dunfermline in a bounce game against Falkirk in Alloa yesterday afternoon.

The former Chicago Fire keeper was joined in the squad by a central defender as the Fifers seek to bolster their squad further.

l The kick-off time of Dumbarton’s Second Division match at home to Brechin City on Saturday has been brought forward to 1.30pm due to the floodlights being damaged by the recent high winds.