ALLAN JOHNSTON admits he’s disappointed to lose Farid El Alagui but has backed others in his squad to fill the void.

The French-Moroccan hitman said farewell to East End Park earlier this week when he turned down the offer of a contract extension in order to try his luck abroad.

Former Falkirk and Hibernian man El Alagui, 31, signed a short-term deal in September after proving his fitness following a trial spell and Johnston was keen to keep him until the end of the season.

He hit four goals in 16 appearances but, after departing for a “new career opportunity in Asia” on Monday, the Pars boss told Press Sport: “Farid I think had a good offer – he’s going abroad by all accounts – and he had the option that he could leave. We offered him a new contract but he felt it was better for him to move to another club. We wish him well because he’s a good lad and I thought he did well when he was here and scored a few important goals.

“He gave us a different option with his physical presence and it’s always good to have different options in the squad. But if you look at the strikers we’ve got, we’ve got Moff (Michael Moffat) who’s playing really well just now, Nicky (Clark) who’s the top goalscorer, you’ve got Gavin (Reilly) who’s back up to speed now and is flying and you’ve got David Hopkirk coming back in who has a lot of ability.

“It’s disappointing to lose Farid but we do have strikers who can step in. It’s up to those guys to grasp it because it’s about competition and others pushing you all the way. That’s how you get the best from people.”

Callum Morris remains Johnston’s only signing of the January window so far and, while there may be others joining Cammy Gill in going out on loan, he remained coy on whether there will be any more additions to his squad.

He continued: “You’re always looking to see what’s available but this time of year is difficult to try and get the right quality in, which was why it was good to get Callum in so early. You never know what could come up but whether something comes up that’s going to be good enough or within your wage structure, we’ll have to wait and see.

“There might be one or two going on loan but we’ve got to make sure it’s the right kind of club that comes up.”

Johnston was again enthused by the strength in depth of his squad as they saw off Alloa in the Scottish Cup while having the luxury of making changes to his starting line-up.

With his team now 10 games unbeaten in all competitions, he believes victory over second-placed Dundee United on Saturday would set a marker to the Pars’ rivals in the chase for a place in the top four.

“It shows you the strength in depth with boys coming in like Callum Morris making his debut,” Johnston commented.

“He fitted in really well and looks like a right quality addition to the squad. He has all the attributes of a top player; he’s fast, he’s big and brings that wee bit of experience as well because he’s not a young lad anymore.

“Even some of the guys who aren’t part of the squad just now I’m sure will have a big part to play in the season ahead; we’ll need everybody before the season’s finished.

“It’s great as a manager when you’re seeing that consistency week-in, week-out but we have to make sure we keep to those levels. That’s what’s got us there in the first place; doing what we do day-in, day-out and taking it into games.

“I think a win would set a marker simply because it’s one of the top teams. Getting that result I’m sure would give the players massive confidence going into the remaining games.”