Pars boss James McPake reveals Craig Wighton's season is over

Pars boss, James McPake, has said that the 26-year-old will miss the remainder of the campaign, having told Press Sport earlier this week that the prognosis "not looking great".

Wighton, who has netted six goals this term, was substituted during the first half of Athletic's home defeat to Greenock Morton on February 3.

Following that game, McPake said that there was an "issue with the back of his knee" and the club were awaiting results of a scan and, when speaking to the Press earlier in the week, also said that they were "still trying to get to the bottom" of the problem.

Speaking to the media today (Thursday), ahead of Saturday's home match with Arbroath, McPake addressed whether there could be any further new arrivals, following that of St Johnstone striker, Chris Kane, who signed on loan this week, whilst providing the unfortunate update on Wighton.

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"We are still working away but first and foremost I was delighted to get Chris Kane in," the Pars boss explained.

"He has trained well this week, and, probably, we have got him at a really good time. He is fit after the injury (a knee injury he sustained in January 2022, keeping him out until May 2023), he is back and he is frustrated at the lack of game time. That is just what happens at certain clubs so, when we saw that he was available, and what he brings to a team in terms of getting you up the pitch, he is a better striker than maybe stats reveal, bearing in mind he was a number nine in a team that won a domestic double in this country. That’s unheard of really outwith Celtic and Rangers in my time in watching football - I know Aberdeen did it.

James McPake was delighted to add Chris Kane this week. (Image: Craig Brown.)

"I know that there were important goals scored and it was an important team but Chris Kane was pivotal to that team. He was the one who got them up the pitch. They were a very effective team that didn’t create too many chances because they didn’t need to because they were so well drilled. Chris Kane was a massive part of that team and I think any St Johnstone fans will say that.

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"I have played against him. I’m surprised that he is still only 29, given I’m nearly 40, but he was a kid. I know that I say this quite a lot, but he is a player that I have tried to sign before - here in the summer, and at my previous club we tried to take him.

"When he became available, when we saw him and spoke to him - and thanks to St Johnstone for that because they were excellent - it was one for me who ticks the boxes in what he can bring to this group. He is experienced, hungry and a striker.

"Craig Wighton's season is over as well.

"We're waiting on the next stage - is it a tidy up, or is it just a strengthening programme - so we'll take our time. We'll get that right but, unfortunately, we'll miss Craig.

Craig Wighton has netted six times this season. (Image: Craig Brown.)

"We're still trying to add to the squad anyway in terms of experience in certain areas. I think those two could've worked well together, Alex (Jakubiak) coming back I think could work well with him (Kane), and he'll help all the younger ones.

"He's a proper striker."