PARS BID TO SIGN DE VRIES IS OVER

JIM LEISHMAN has finally admitted defeat in his bid to sign Mark de Vries.

The Dunfermline boss and his chairman John Yorkston spent yesterday attempting to pull together a contract that would see the former Hearts striker make his debut against Rangers.

But they had to call off talks when it became clear the deal was too rich for the Pars, even as a loan signing.

Dutch star De Vries is on around £7000 a week at Leicester and although he would happily return to Scotland, he is now set to focus on rebuilding his career at the Walkers Stadium.

Leishman is struggling to field a frontman against Paul Le Guen's side tomorrow with his recognised strikers all battling injury.

Summer signings Noel Whelan and Jim McIntyre are definitely out, while Freddie Daquin has fractured his cheekbone.

Although Mark Burchill trained yesterday after a virus, his recovery will be gauged this morning. Defender Andy Tod, free from suspension, could play as a makeshift striker.

Dunfermline are also set to look at a couple of trialists in the next week, Greek winger Nicholas Gallas and French striker Cedric Mana.

Leishman said: "We tried to get Mark again, as well as two or three others but there will be no new faces against Rangers.

"The Mark deal is now dead. We tried our best but he's out with our price range at the moment.

"He's keen to come back to Scotland but to be fair he's also keen to play regularly for Leicester.

"We tried to get him for six months - the Rangers match is a big game and I look forward to meeting Mr Le Guen - but signing Mark would have been about more than one match.

"We may have injuries to most of our recognised strikers but there are still one or two options to examine."

Taken from the Daily Record