ATHLETIC boss James McPake admitted he wasn't surprised that Josh Edwards had attracted interest from other clubs after describing him as "an asset".

The agreement of a new contract for the full back, which keeps him at KDM Group East End Park until the summer of 2024, was prior to last Saturday's draw at Clyde, and the 22-year-old marked it by getting on the scoresheet.

Deployed in a left wing back role for much of this season, Edwards has been an ever-present since McPake took charge of Dunfermline in the summer, with his attacking play, together with his defensive duties, marking him out as a consistent high performer for the League One leaders.

The 22-year-old spoke of his enjoyment at the football he and the team are playing, and McPake joked: "Yes, if he had said the opposite, that he was humming and hawing, I would maybe have taken it away and let him go!

"Look, when you get to this point, it is a good situation for both the player and the club. The player is doing well and we are doing okay at the minute. Sometimes that is when you do attract attention; just look at Sam Fisher, because he was doing so well, he went back to his parent club.

"We weren't surprised when we heard that there were other teams looking at him. The information that we were getting back from (his) agent and representatives was that there were other teams. It was quite clear why because, when you look at the divisions above, he is certainly capable of competing in them, both divisions, the Championship and Premiership, in my opinion.

"I still think that he has a lot to learn. The good thing about him, and the other ones of his age, is that they are willing to learn. It is great as a coach, and as a manager, when you have got that. It would be hard not enjoy it at the minute, when you are winning games and doing okay.

"He has come through a period with the club; he is part of the club now. Obviously, he suffered last season for what happened, but now he is enjoying his football, and feels that he is learning. He would have progressed anyway, but we are hopeful that we can help him with that, and he can help the football club as well.

"It is good that he is enjoying it and long may that continue."

McPake continued: "He is a very good full back.

"First and foremost, he is a great lad who works really hard on his game. He is good in and round the dressing room, but is a fantastic player with loads of potential as well so, as a football club, we are delighted to get it done.

"We know how important he is to us, and we knew he was always going to be here until the end of the season, but now we have got him for that extra year. It will be good for his development, I believe.

"He is still pretty young, he is playing football most weeks here, and it is now up to him to keep those levels high because, when you look at him, he has a lot of what full backs nowadays need, plus a long throw. That is his best asset sometimes when he not playing well. He probably says that as well.

"He has been great. He was a player that I knew when we came in and he has benefited from working with Dave (Mackay, McPake's assistant) and myself as well, mostly Dave, being a full back.

"I enjoy working with him and enjoy seeing the progression in him. Hopefully he is enjoying it and while it is a reward for him, it is a reward for our football club because he is an asset."