ATHLETIC have targets in mind and are working behind the scenes to try to strengthen their squad next month.

James McPake has said that recruitment at KDM Group East End Park continues to be an “ongoing process” as he seeks to add further quality to aid his team’s progress.

Since taking over in the summer, the former Dundee manager has brought in seven players, three of them permanently, to add to a squad that is aiming to help the Pars bounce back to the Championship at the first attempt.

Skipper Kyle Benedictus, midfielder Chris Hamilton and goalkeeper Max Little were joined by loan players Chris Mochrie, Sam Fisher, Kane Ritchie-Hosler and Robbie Mahon, and McPake is casting his eye towards the January transfer window.

It will open on New Year’s Day and, when asked if it was something he was already looking at, the Pars boss told Press Sport: “We’ve been doing that since we came into the job.

“Recruitment is a massive part of football, and it’s an ongoing process.

“There are targets there and we’re building, and trying to build, a squad, and a quality, in the group that can help us progress as a football club.

“That will continue to happen daily behind the scenes as well.”

Ahead of any potential new additions, McPake could be set to be bolstered by the return from injury of two of his injured stars.

Kevin O’Hara, who has been sidelined since a 2-0 win at Queen of the South in September with a knee problem, and Lewis McCann, who has been absent since picking up a hamstring injury in October’s win at Clyde, are making good progress in their recovery.

“Kevin and Lewis are end-stage rehab now.,” McPake continued.

“I don’t know if the weekend will come too quickly for them. We’ll assess that Thursday Friday time. They’ve worked really hard the last three days at least anyway; both are looking good. We certainly won’t rush them back but it’ll be good to have both of them back when we do.

“It’s just the same old line on Paul (Allan)l; he’s another week down the line. That’s good in itself for Paul. It’s a time thing for him now and a rehab process that he has to follow but he’s been doing that really well.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming all three back in due course.”

McPake has no other injury concerns for this weekend’s trip to Airdrieonians and was delighted to secure training facilities at the Oriam after pitches at Rosyth and Pitreavie were frozen.

“I’m sure clubs are finding a way to train but we’re just glad we got use of the Oriam and we’ve got that for the week if need be,” he added.

“Friday (against Arbroath) was a good win. We just had a recovery and a day off, and then we’ve been back in at it. It’s been good so far this week and we want that to continue.

“It was an excellent team performance and we showed what we can do. We were very clinical which, at times, I’ve said we’ve not been clinical enough, so the players certainly showed that side on Friday.”