OUT of contract Pars striker Faissal El Bakhtaoui has joined Blackburn Rovers on trial.

The 23-year-old has joined the English Championship club, managed by former Athletic forward Owen Coyle, for training as he continues to weigh up his future.

The French-Moroccan hit 30 goals last season as the Pars romped to the League One title, including a hat-trick in the decisive match with Brechin City in March.

His stand-out performances saw a number of clubs, including Hibernian and Motherwell, credited with interest as Pars boss Allan Johnston fought to keep him.

He was offered fresh terms at East End Park in February but has not given any indication that he will return to extend his stay with the club.

Johnston told Press Sport last month that while he hoped El Bakhtaoui would return, he said that the club "can't hold on forever" and would eventually have to move on to other targets.

Speaking to This is Lancashire, Coyle, who scored 10 goals in 47 appearances during a two year spell with Dunfermline, said: "I feel if you're bringing a player in on trial it's on the basis they might be bringing you something different.

"So on that basis we have a young player joining us, who has played in Scotland, called Faissal El Bakhtaoui.

"He has played for Dunfermline in Scottish League One and done very well. I think he scored 31 goals in 70-odd league games for them so that shows he's a natural goalscorer.

"But the judgement will be whether he can play at the level of the Championship.

"But it doesn't do us any harm to look at the kid. He's willing and he was very excited by the opportunity to come and train at Blackburn Rovers, which he'll do."