By Lars Niven

DUNFERMLINE’S Kevin Harper is due to go under the knife today in a bid to repair torn knee cartilage.

The winger limped off after just 22 minutes of the Fifers’ encounter with Livingston at East End Park on December 30.

Pars manager Jim McIntyre told CourierSport yesterday, “He’ll get an operation to tidy things up.

“He’s probably looking at four to six weeks.”

That poses a problem for McIntyre, who has already seen his other right wing specialist, Simon Wiles, ruled out for the rest of the season.

The 23-year-old picked up a knock during the Fifers’ 3-1 win over Airdrie in November.

He had hoped to make a quick return, but it emerged he had sustained a micro-fracture in his right thigh bone.

Wiles is due to see a specialist later this month to check on his progress.

McIntyre said, “The news on Kevin is very poor.

“Obviously, in the wider areas it means we’re very short.

“We’re trying to do something about that.”

McIntyre has been told that he has a budget, albeit limited, to bring new players in while this month’s transfer window is open.

However, McIntyre said there was no movement on signings and no-one was currently on trial with the club.