PARS star Aaron Comrie has described this afternoon’s top-of-the-table clash with FC Edinburgh as “huge” – but not season-defining no matter the result.

Athletic head to the capital looking to record their third win from as many meetings this season against League One’s surprise package, who were promoted last term, along with Kelty Hearts, after coming through the play-offs successfully.

Alan Maybury’s team are one point behind Dunfermline – although they have played two games more – and have won 12 of their 20 matches so far.

Their latest was a remarkable 5-3 victory at Airdrieonians on Monday, while the Pars were inactive, due to their match with Falkirk being frozen off, and Comrie told Press Sport this week: “It’s a huge game.

“They’re one team we’ve been keeping our eye on. They’ve always looked a good side when we’ve played them, and they’ve got that consistency.

“Looking at their squad, they’ve got good players, and it’s going to be a right battle on Saturday, but we just need to stick to what we’re good at, working hard, and hopefully put on a good performance.

“They seem to be beating teams around them. That was a great result for them at Airdrie, especially being 2-0 down, so we’re under no illusions.

“We know how tough a game it’s going to be.

“We’re looking forward to it, getting back into the league and, hopefully, we can look after the performance, and send what I think will be a good away crowd home happy.”

On whether a win could be season-defining for the Pars, the 25-year-old full back replied: “Not at all. It think it’s still too early.

“We’re just going game by game. It’s obviously been frustrating with the call-offs recently but we’ll look to go in on Saturday, put in a good performance, and see where it takes us.

“I think the one thing is hard work. That’s brought us to where we are now, just rolling the sleeves up, and I think you saw that in our last performance at Kelty.

“I don’t think there’s any luck involved either. We’ve done it a fair few times and I think that shows the character.

“Even in the game against Kelty, going 1-0 down, speaking to the boys after it, no-one felt under pressure in the game. Everyone still thought we could get a positive result from the game, so I think that’s just testament to the boys, and the mentality the manager’s set into us.

“Again, that comes down to hard work. These places are never easy to go to, especially Kelty. We’ve seen their form at home.

“They’re tough places to go; you’re never going to go there and batter them, and play free-flowing football. Sometimes you just need to roll the sleeves up and see where it takes you.”

Dunfermline have found different ways to pick up results this season – Montrose are still the only team to have beaten them in 18 league matches – and did so again in their last match, a 2-1 comeback victory in the derby at Kelty Hearts on Christmas Eve.

Comrie said: “The squad’s been as healthy as it has been for a while.

“There was a stage there where we felt a wee bit light but you see the boys coming off the bench and the impact they had; that was great for us.

“That creates competition for places, which is also healthy for the squad, and hopefully that can kick us on for the second part of the season.”

Meanwhile, boss James McPake McPake revealed that Kevin O’Hara was set to be part of his squad for Monday’s postponed match with Falkirk, and will be in the reckoning for today's game.

The 24-year-old hasn’t featured for the league leaders since September due to a knee injury, and McPake said: “He was in the squad for the Falkirk game; he’s been excellent since he came back.

“He’s worked really hard throughout his period with a nasty PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament) injury to his knee. He’s done really well in terms of the rehab and getting himself strong again.

“He’s a great boost for the full squad having him back and certainly adds to the depth of the squad, and we’re getting there now.

“It was a tough one. It was a serious injury when he got it, and it was one we were thankful didn’t require surgery at the time. He’s stuck to his plan, he’s done really well to come back and hit the ground running.

“He’s been really good in terms of the way he’s conducted himself through the rehab. It can be a hard time doing rehabs for injuries when you see your team-mates playing but, like Lewis (McCann), like Paul Allan and young Miller (Fenton), he’s been excellent.

“Credit to the medical staff, the sports science staff, and now he’s back training and looking really well, but most of the credit goes to Kevin.

“Maybe the good thing about the game being off is that it’s given us another chance to work Kevin really hard and step up his training load.

“He’s come back in good condition. He’s done all the hard work in terms of the rehab. I would have no issue playing him on Saturday if it’s what feels right.”