ALLAN JOHNSTON is running the rule over two trialists in a bid to bolster his squad and has told out-of-contract Faissal El Bakhtaoui that they “can’t hold on forever”.

The Pars boss kept his cards close to his chest in relation to the identity of the players who have joined in with pre-season training this week and although he reiterated his desire to re-sign last season’s top goalscorer, Johnston admitted he will have to look elsewhere if the star doesn’t make up his mind soon.

El Bakhtaoui is still weighing up a number of offers, including from Athletic, as he decides where his future lies but with Dunfermline beginning their pre-season schedule at Alloa next Wednesday, Johnston told Press Sport: “We’re still in exactly the same position as in the last few weeks but, as far as we know, we’re still in the race. You know how keen we are to keep him but time goes on as well.

“We’ll be as patient as we can and give them as much time as possible to make a decision and hopefully he’ll come back here but we can’t hold on forever either. We’ve got to make decisions and if someone comes up, then we’ll have to sign them.

“There’s a couple of trialists in just now but nothing’s been decided; we’re just having a look at them and there will probably be a few more trialists coming in over the next few weeks as teams maybe sort out who they’re signing and who they’re not signing. There’s a lot of stuff like that going on but the good thing is that we don’t need to bring in too many, although we still need another two or three players anyway.

“We’re lucky enough that the majority of the boys have signed up again. We had a right good group last year with good togetherness and good quality, so it was important we kept the majority of players. You’ve just got to have a look at whatever comes up but when agents ring you up, everyone says their players are brilliant! It’s not easy but it’s the same as last year; we’ll take our time, make sure we get the signings right and players that can challenge for first team places.

“What we’re looking for is ability, first and foremost, and for guys who will buy in to what we’re trying to do, who are hungry, have desire and are at a good age as well. It’s a young team we’ve got so you’re looking for a bit of energy and boys who want to kick-on in their careers.”

One player who fits the bill is PJ Crossan who, like El Bakhtaoui, is mulling over his future after his contract expired last month.

Johnston confirmed that the club have rejected an offer from Celtic for his services – a development fee that the Pars would be due for bringing him through their system should the teenager move on – and he added: “I don’t know if it will go any further but we would rather that he was in here just now. We think he’s a really good young player and think he’s got a chance of being in and around our first team, so hopefully we can get him tied up.

“For me, I think personally that it is better for a player’s development to play first team football, rather than going and being a 20s player somewhere. It’s totally different to play first team football where you’ve got a crowd and your matches mean something.

“But it is important for these boys that they decide their future because they need to have a good pre-season. You have a better chance with a good pre-season behind you because you have base fitness, you’re not playing catch-up and trying to get to the same level as other players, especially when you start playing matches.”