Albion Rovers boss Brian Reid says he will utilise the loan market to bolster his squad, and needs at least three or four new signings after the arrival of goalkeeper Jack Leighfield.
Reid admits his squad isn’t as big as he would have hoped going into the NL Cup at the weekend, but says he will use the tournament at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld to run the rule over some trialists.
The Cliftonhill gaffer is pleased to have added shot-stopper Leighfield, 24, from FC Edinburgh, but he has also seen striker Declan Byrne leave the club for Dumbarton.
Leighfield is a player Reid is happy to have brought in, and comes in with experience having played for Queen of the South in the Championship and English non-league club Lancaster City.
He said: “He’s got good experience, he played in the Championship and he’s 24. He’s a good goalkeeper, so we’re pleased.
“I’m happy with the squad we’ve got, but we are probably three or four short.
“We’re going to need to use the loan market as well to boost the squad up, plus we have some young boys in the reserves.
“We’re looking to get more people in, to build our squad up, and we want to improve on last season.
“That’s your challenge as a manager, to try and get better all the time, and that’s what we’re trying to do.
“We’re retained a good chunk of the squad, but we’re lost quite a few as well.
“Some of them were forced. It was a blow losing Jamie McGowan and Lewis Wilson having to go abroad, so that’s two that I would probably have retained.
“But the rest decided to move on, and that’s the way it is.
“We do need another three or four players in, and then a couple of loan players we’re looking for, and that might give us enough of a squad for the season.
“I think it’s tough for a few other clubs round about us as well, because we’re competing with a lot of Lowland League and West of Scotland League clubs who are paying good money, so it’s not easy this season.
“It’s probably one of the toughest seasons we’ve had, in terms of getting players in.”
Rovers are taking part in the four-team NL Cup at Broadwood this weekend, where they face hosts Cumbernauld Colts in their semi-final on Saturday, before playing either near-neighbours Airdrie or Stirling Albion on the Sunday, depending on results.
It’s a tournament Rovers have been involved in before, and one Reid feels could be useful.
He added: “It’s important preparation for the season ahead.
“I would like to have had a bigger squad, in terms of numbers, but we’ll use it for some trialists and stuff like that.
“It’s also an opportunity to get our match fitness up before the Premier Sports Cup starts, so I think it’s a good enough tournament.
“I’ve enjoyed it before, and hopefully we can benefit from it again.”
Competitive action for Rovers kicks off on Saturday, July 9 when they host Scottish Premiership side Livingston in the Premier Sports League Cup group stages.
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