EXPERIENCED defender Jason Thomson believes that there is no pressure on Kelty Hearts heading into this weekend's Fife derby.

The 35-year-old, who has recently returned to action after being out with an MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) tear in his knee, said that Dunfermline will be "fully deserving" title winners if they go on and win League One, having suffered just one loss in 29 games.

But the former Arbroath and Raith Rovers player is confident the New Central Park will be competitive at KDM Group East End Park as they seek to end their first season in the third tier on a high.

Thomson, who played his first game since Hogmanay against Montrose six days prior, was an impressive performer in central defence as Kelty earned a scoreless draw at Falkirk last Friday evening.

That result, coupled with weekend defeats for Peterhead and Clyde, means that the 'Maroon Machine' cannot be caught by either of the bottom two, and are assured of League One football again next term.

The result also did their neighbours a favour as they, on Saturday, won at Montrose to move 11 points clear at the top.

From four meetings with the Bairns, Kelty have picked up seven points, and, after a stalemate at New Central Park in August, have one point from three games with the Pars.

Thomson, who had a brief loan spell at East End during their last spell in the top flight in season 2011/12, said: "I think we've probably got to play with a bit of freedom. There's not really pressure on us.

"Dunfermline are going for the league and they're obviously in a strong position. I think they've lost one game this season; you can't argue with that.

"I think if you come to the end of the season, and you lose one game, you're going to be fully deserving of the league. But, again, we've shown what we can do against them this season, and hopefully that will be the case come next week.

"We've beaten Falkirk twice and, the last time we played them, we got beat with two late goals as well. We've always been in it, and it's the same with Dunfermline this week.

"As a club, and I've only come in in September, I think there probably will be a bit of a disappointment of where the club are, and probably expected a little bit more. We are where we are.

"Somebody said we're guaranteed (to be) in League One now, with the results. What expectation there would've been at the start would certainly have been remaining in the league, and whatever else comes with it is great.

"We'll try to finish the season well and, obviously, the club will look ahead to next season."

Thomson will be keen to make up for some lost time, having been restricted to just 14 appearances since signing from Arbroath earlier in the season.

Concussion sustained at Airdrieonians in mid-November sidelined him until a match at Alloa Athletic on New Year's Eve, after which an injury in training put him out of action until his return 12 days ago.

"It's obviously been a bit of a frustrating spell, just with picking up wee bits of injuries," he said.

"I got a concussion back in November, so that took a wee while, then I came back and played Alloa on the 31st (December). I came on in the second half and then, the Tuesday after training, I tore my MCL in my knee.

"It's been frustrating for both myself and the club. I'd signed in September and probably not played as many games as I'd have like to, and the club would've liked to.

"I'm just glad to get back for the last seven, eight games."