CALLUM FORDYCE insists that there should be no cause for panic over the Pars’ league position – and can draw inspiration from his own great escape.

The 24-year-old centre back made his first top-team appearance since September’s home win over Saturday’s opponents St Mirren when he came off the bench in Saturday’s Irn-Bru Cup defeat to Dundee United following Lewis Martin’s red card.

With suspension not affecting the league programme, a supporting role from the bench could be in line for Fordyce once more in Paisley but the former Livingston man says he is ready to aid the Pars’ bid to put daylight between themselves and the bottom dogs if called upon.

Athletic go into the clash five points ahead of the winless Buddies but Fordyce told Press Sport the Pars shouldn’t be panicking yet – and pointed to his experience with Livingston in 2015 as proof.

“There should be no panic stations just yet because we’ve got enough quality in the squad to win any game. We can’t be worrying because it only takes a few wins to push you up the table,” he said.

“In my last season with Livingston we were in a similar position and were deducted points at Christmas that put us down even more but we stayed up after the last game of the season. It was a remarkable achievement but sometimes you get a bit of luck. We won the cup final (Challenge Cup) against Alloa and then we went on a crazy run of 13 points from the last 15. We are more than capable of doing something like that.

“This weekend’s a massive game because St Mirren are around us but every game is important. We know what games are coming up but the teams about us still have good sides and maybe they’ve not had a bit of luck either.”

When asked about potentially being pitched in in such a pivotal game, Fordyce continued: “You never know; it depends what the gaffer feels. I was delighted to get on the park because it was the first time in a wee while and I felt once I settled down into the game I did not do too bad. When I’m playing, I’m enjoying it, but what happened happened. I had to work on some stuff myself and make sure everything was OK physically and mentally; I spoke with the gaffer and he felt it was best to take me out of it for a couple of weeks. That happens in football but I’ll be always be ready to be called upon.

“I believe in my own ability and I want to be coming back for important games like this.

“I’ve played in a lot of big games so far so if I get the nod, it’ll be like any other game.”