St Mirren keeper Chris Smith heads out on loan to Dunfermline Athletic

Dec 2 2009 by Andy Newport, Paisley Daily Express

CHRIS Smith yesterday finalised a loan deal to Dunfermline Athletic – and then insisted it doesn’t mean he has got one foot out of the door at St Mirren Park.

The keeper will spend the next six weeks with the First Division outfit as he bids to work his way back to fitness following the horror knee injury that has ruled him out of top team action for St Mirren since March.

Smudger last pulled on his gloves for the Saints in their famous Scottish Cup win over Celtic nine months ago.

But he hopes to work his way back into boss Gus MacPherson’s plans by performing well for the Pars.

Smith, who is due back in Paisley on January 17, told Express Sports: “I’m going to Dunfermline to get my match sharpness back but it does not mean I’m leaving St Mirren.

“This move is just part of my rehab and I hope to come back after January 17 and work my way into the manager’s plans.”

It’s understood that the damage to Smith’s knee was caused in a SPL match with Aberdeen four days prior to the cup win against the Hoops.

But, at first, the keeper did not realise how bad the injury was.

Smith jetted south to London for a painful operation that saw Harley Street specialist Dr Andrew Williams implant a new cruciate ligament and repair the lateral ligament in his shattered left knee.

After a nine-month fitness battle, Smith is ready to play once more.

But his path to the Saints number one jersey is currently blocked by both Paul Gallacher and Mark Howard.

Now he will head to East End Park in the hope the temporary move will resurrect his career.

Smith said: “The manager called me on Monday night to tell me that Dunfermline were in for me.

“Their keeper Craig Fleming has broken a finger.

“So this move is good for me, good for St Mirren and good for Dunfermline.”

Meanwhile, St Mirren have also confirmed that Paul Quinn’s loan deal with Queen’s Park has been extended until January 6.