JIM JEFFERIES has bolstered his defence as he prepares to torpedo fierce rivals Raith Rovers' unbeaten start to the season.

The Pars manager has snapped up former Newcastle United centre half Callum Morris and the 22-year-old impressed in his debut against Montrose on Tuesday night.

Morris was a youth player with the Magpies and also spent time playing in Spain after he was released by his boyhood club.

Jefferies told Press Sport, "Callum has been here for a couple of weeks. We would have played him last Saturday against Airdrie but couldn't get clearance.

"He is a real quality player. He has pace to burn and he can use the ball coming out, reads it well and is composed.

"I think that we have a real find there. At the age of 22 and with the experience he's had he could develop into a decent prospect for us." The manager is preparing to put friendship to one side when Raith visit East End Park for the first time this season with new gaffer Grant Murray at the helm.

Jefferies had Murray as a player at both Hearts and Kilmarnock and put him on the bench for the Jambos' 1998 Scottish Cup final victory over Rangers.

With passions sure to run high on the pitch there will be no old pals act off the field either as the battle lines are drawn between the dugouts.

"This is a great game for us. This will be even more intense than the Cowdenbeath game because it's probably the biggest Fife derby," Jefferies said.

"The atmosphere will be good and they're a point above us and undefeated so it's a great incentive for us to try and get above them.

"I didn't think Grant would be the type to be a manager and I think he's already said he'll rely a lot on assistant Paul Smith's experience to guide him through.

"They are two great lads who know the game well which you can see by the start they've made." Jefferies refused to rule out more moves in the transfer market before the deadline tomorrow (Friday) but does admit it is unlikely new faces will arrive.

"We will never say never until the window is closed. Something usually appears and it's usually on the last day but right now there's nothing in the pipeline," he added.