Pars boss frustrated as key pair miss trip to Tannadice

Allan Johnston has backed Dunfermline to get by without influential pair Kallum Higginbotham and Ryan Williamson in their Championship opener against Dundee United this weekend.

The duo are both suspended after going through the SFA’s disciplinary points barrier at the end of last season – Higginbotham in the play-offs and Williamson in the second-last game of the regular campaign.

Both were left out of Saturday’s Betfred Cup tie as the Pars clinched their second round place and a 100% group record with their 3-1 victory over Stirling Albion.

Their absence is undoubtedly a blow for the Fifers, but a frustrated Johnston has backed his revamped squad to cope.

He said: “We left Ryan and Higgy out on Saturday because they’re suspended for Saturday.

“It’s a wee bit frustrating when they pick up bookings either in the play-offs or in the last games of the season and it carries through to this season. It makes it difficult, but it’s only one game and they’ll be back sooner rather than later.”

Johnston is delighted to see onloan Dundee duo Faissal El Bakhtaoui and James Vincent return to fitness at the weekend.

Both lasted 70 minutes against Stirling, just three days after the pair made second debuts for the East End Park men in 45-minute showings in the 7-1 victory over Brechin City.

El Bakhtaoui, a fans’ favourite in his first spell with the club after being plucked from the obscurity of futsal in France, scored twice against Brechin and is expected to be a key player this term.

Johnston added: “James and Faiss have missed a good bit of preseason with injuries, but you can still see their quality. And some of Faiss’s touches as well. For the second goal on Saturday, his feet were incredible, and I’m sure he’ll be brilliant for us this season.”