ATHLETIC manager James McPake has played down speculation linking Josh Edwards with a move and said he is solely focused on Saturday's crunch clash with Inverness.

Reports from England suggested that League One duo, Oxford United and Lincoln City, were interested in the 23-year-old full back.

In the January transfer window, McPake revealed that the Pars had rejected a bid for Edwards, which was believed to have been from another EFL League One outfit, Barnsley.

When asked if he was aware about interest in the player, who last week was named in the PFA Scotland Championship team of the year, the Dunfermline boss told Press Sport: "I don't know how reliable they are (reports).

"I'm certainly aware of them but I've no interest in that. My focus is on Saturday's game."

The Pars go into the clash with the Highlanders still not mathematically safe from the relegation play-off spot.

They are six points clear of Queen's Park, who occupy that position, and have a better goal difference, and a draw against Duncan Ferguson's team, who sit eighth, one point above the Spiders, would secure safety.

McPake, who revealed Ewan Otoo will be missing with what Press Sport understands is a knee injury, has welcomed Craig Wighton and Paul Allan back to training.

He continued: "We want to perform.

Dunfermline Press: James McPake wants his side to finish their home fixtures well on Saturday.James McPake wants his side to finish their home fixtures well on Saturday. (Image: Craig Brown.)

"Although it wouldn't have been hard to be better than what we were against Airdrie,  certainly the shape of the team against Queen's, as much as we didn't win, was a bit better. Individual performances were better, so we need that again.

"Inverness are coming down, they're desperate for points, but so are we.

"Every team in the league is desperate for points, and I include Arbroath in that as well. Although they are relegated, it's professional pride. Every time you go on the pitch, you're desperate for points but when it's your league status, it becomes more important, and more nervy.

"It's our last home game of the season so we want to go out with a good performance and a good result."

He continued: "Every time we're at East End Park, there's a demand on us to produce, to win the game, so that doesn't change, whether it's your first league game against Airdrie, or this last league game against Inverness.

"We just need to go out and deal with it, and put on a good performance for our fans.

"When Clyde were coming on the last day of the season, we already had the league won, but the message was to go out and don't waste the game of football.

"You never know how many games you've got left, or the chance to play in front of a good support.

"The important thing is this Saturday. Nothing else really matters. We want to go out and win."