ALLAN JOHNSTON has hailed returning defender Callum Morris as a “quality” addition as he plots further recruitment in this transfer window.

Pars fans were given a late Christmas present on Hogmanay when it was confirmed that the popular 26-year-old had put pen to paper until the end of the season, two-and-a-half years since leaving the club.

Geordie centre-back Morris joined Dunfermline in the summer of 2012 and, having gone through administration, relegation and a failed promotion bid, he departed for then top-flight Dundee United in May 2014.

His time at Tannadice included playing in the 2015 League Cup final defeat to Celtic but he makes the move back to East End Park after his release by Aberdeen, for whom he didn’t make a first-team appearance in his six months at Pittodrie.

Johnston swooped quickly to secure his signature and told Press Sport: “We’ve been looking at him for a wee while but it’s one of them that you don’t know if it’s ever going to happen.

“There were a couple of players that we were talking to and were just hoping we’d manage to get one. We’ve managed to get him in and I think he’ll be a quality addition.

“He’s obviously been here before and was really successful the last time. The qualities that he’ll bring are his height, his pace, and that he’s played at a good level, so I’m sure that will help us.

“It’s competition for the rest of the players and it’s all about stepping up and making sure you stay in the team.”

There could be more movement to come this month at East End Park as the Pars boss weighs up whether to extend striker Farid El Alagui’s deal, which concludes at the end of January, and the loan agreement with Blackpool for midfielder John Herron.

Both players have intimated their desire to stay at the club and, while Johnston is looking to see what options are available, he is wary of having too large a pool of players for the second half of the campaign.

With his team now on a six-game unbeaten league run, he continued: “A lot of teams are strengthening as well but I think we’ve got a lot of quality in the squad.

“We’ve got good competition when you look at the wide players; Paul McMullan, Joe Cardle, Kallum Higginbotham, Michael Paton, the defence we’ve obviously added to that so we’re stronger there as well, and the strikers we’ve got.

“We’ve got a lot a lot of quality but you’re always looking to see if someone becomes available who can strengthen us. You would try and bring them in but you don’t want too many players either.

“It’s only if it’s someone who’s going to strengthen us.

“As I said, we’ve got the players and hopefully we can get the results now.”

Johnston meanwhile was delighted by the nature of his team’s victory at Raith Rovers on Monday, a result that propelled his side into sixth place, just six points adrift of fourth-top Falkirk.

He added: “I thought some of the football we played second half was outstanding. We should’ve scored a couple more; Nicky (Clark) had a couple of good opportunities and that’s what you’re looking for your strikers to do, to get on the end of chances. You’re not going to score every one but certainly if you put the ball in for him then he’ll score a lot of goals.

“I thought second half with some of the football and chances created we were worthy winners.”