JAMES MCPAKE will be aiming to right the wrongs of last season as Dunfermline welcome Raith Rovers to East End Park.
The Pars host their Fife counterparts in the first derby of the season, set to be under the lights for Friday night football.
Last season, Raith certainly had the bragging rights over their rivals, coming up trumps in five of the six meetings between the sides.
Raith beat Dunfermline in all four league meetings and also in the Scottish Cup clash at East End Park in November.
James McPake’s side came out on top during the League Cup group stage last season, however, drawing 1-1 with Raith but picking up the extra bonus point from penalties.
Now, the Pars boss has his sights fully set on this Friday’s meeting, hoping to tip the scales in his side’s favour.
“It’s a derby,” he said. “It’s a game both sets of fans get excited about and it’s Friday night football live on the TV.
“It’s one we’re looking forward to. Both teams will be looking at it the same way.
“In this league, it’s certainly a big game and it’s one both teams will be desperate to win and both sets of supporters will be desperate to win as well.”
On the injury front, doubts remain over the fitness of Kyle Benedictus and Kieran Ngwenya ahead of the Raith visit.
Both were absent from the SPFL Trust Trophy clash against East Fife – with Benedictus replaced at half time during Ayr two weekends ago.
Ngwenya played the full 90 during the Ayr game, but also didn’t feature against the Fifers.
Matty Todd is also expected to absent this weekend as he is set to attend an appointment, with the gaffer hoping he’ll be fit enough for next weekend.
McPake went on: “We’re assessing Kyle Benedictus and Kieran Ngwenya as the week goes on so we’ll see their availability come Friday.
“Everyone else is okay apart from Matty Todd – hopefully we’ll have him back the following week.
“He’s got an appointment next week so we’ll see how that goes.”
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The Pars will be able to utilise Tommy Fogarty, who made his return after being on international duty with the Northern Ireland U21s.
Fogarty played the full 90 minutes during their double header against England U21s and Ukraine U21s.
McPake continued: “Tommy Fogarty had a fantastic camp in Northern Ireland U21s playing both games against England and Ukraine, albeit the England result was a draw and they lost to Ukraine.
“I’m delighted with his performances and it’s good for him to go away with the national team and doing really well against two really good U21 teams so he’ll come back in.”
On the loan front, Dunfermline have yet to make any signings since Josh Cooper and Tobi Oluwayemi came to the club.
Ex-Motherwell midfielder Craig Clay is reported to be training with the club, with McPake happy with his progress so far.
McPake said: “Craig’s still here, he’s doing great.”
“Josh and Tobi have been great,” McPake added. “Josh in particular was in for a while before he signed so it wasn’t going to be hard.
“Tobi’s now had two games and I thought he’s been good in both of them and him and Deniz [Mehmet] are working away well with the goalie coach as well.”
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