Squad firming up - with loan signings also due

Manager John McGlashan spoke of his delight at how well pre-season training has progressed thus far: "Things are ticking over nicely," he said. " The sessions we organised in the three weeks before pre-season got fully underway put the team in good stead. That is especially true for the couple of players who had holidays booked at the beginning of pre-season who previously would have returned off the pace.

"Due to last season being stretched with the play-offs, the team only had a month off before training restarted which means that, in general, the fitness levels are higher than at this time last year."

Mr McGlashan confirmed that the club has had four trialists training alongside the team over recent months. They are Shaun Simpson, a midfielder who was with East Stirlingshire last year, John Halley, a young centre forward released by Raith Rovers, and former Dundee players, Gavin Burns, a centre-half, and midfielder Stefan Elvin.

The gaffer explained: "John Halley has picked up a knock but the other three were due to play a part in the weekend's games alongside four or five of the youth team's player who I think should be making the step up to the first team squad.

"We've also got a couple of loan signings in the works from Premier League and First Division clubs. I'm hopeful that will all be arranged before the season starts.

"With Alan Brazil leaving we have room for another signing and with three players uncertain of being ready for the start of the season we may have to look for one other player."