ON-LOAN midfielder Paul McGowan has said he would "love" to extend his stay with the Pars after three of their title winners departed.

The 35-year-old, who joined the club on a temporary basis from Dundee in February, ended his stint with the League One winners by scoring his first goal for them in their final day victory over Alloa Athletic last Saturday.

That match, which ended 2-0 to Dunfermline, brought a memorable campaign to an end, as well as Nikolay Todorov, Kevin MacDonald and Kevin O'Hara's time at KDM Group East End Park.

It was confirmed that the trio, out-of-contract this summer, would not be offered fresh terms to stay with James McPake's side for their return to the Championship next season, with discussions ongoing with goalkeeper, Deniz Mehmet, and defender, Aaron Comrie.

Press Sport understands that the club are confident of reaching an agreement with Comrie, having secured centre back, Rhys Breen, on a new two-year contract before the campaign ended.

Also signing off at the Indodrill Stadium were Dunfermline's five loan players – McGowan, Chris Mochrie, Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Ewan Otoo and Robbie Mahon – with their agreements also ending in the close season.

Whilst Mochrie and Otoo will return to parent clubs Dundee United and Celtic – they're under contract for another year – and Mahon, whose deal is up this summer, plans to return to Motherwell, the futures of popular winger Ritchie-Hosler, and McGowan, are less clear.

Their contracts with Rangers and Dundee respectively expire at the end of May and, in McGowan's case, he is clear about where he would like to be next season.

"I don't know. I'll speak to the manager and we'll see," was his reply when asked where he expects to be doing his pre-season.

"I'd love to do another year here, and do a pre-season with him, because I know his pre-seasons are tough, and we'll go from there, get fit, and we'll see. I know I've still got a lot to bring.

"I know I'm not getting any younger. I get that but, even on the field, I know that I bring a lot. I wouldn't cheat. If I knew I couldn't do it, then I would be honest with him. I still feel it in myself.

"We'll sit down and speak; there's no rush for that. I've loved every minute of it.

"Honestly, I can't speak highly enough, as a club. staff, everybody connected with it – they've been unbelievable. The players have all been great with me and, if it could be done, yeah, I'd love to be here."

If last Saturday was to be McGowan's Pars swansong, it couldn't have been scripted better, with his superb lob from Joe Chalmers' magnificent pass setting the seal on their victory and campaign.

"It was nice to cap it off," he said.

"As I've said before, it's been a hard season for me personally, just with the injury. I've not been used to it. I’m used to be playing 25-30 games a season. It's been one of these ones where I could probably have walked away with two league medals but I set myself targets and goals. Yeah, I’m delighted but it's been a hard season for me.

"I love playing football, I've still got the enthusiasm for it and it was nice to cap it off with a goal and just give the fans a good send off as well."