ALLOA manager Jack Ross says the signing of returning hero Kevin Cawley is based on talent and not sentiment.

The Wasps favourite agreed a deal to return to the club for next season earlier this week and while the gaffer insists the player's affections for the club helped the deal along, he has also been a long time admirer of Cawley since he was Ian Murray's number two at Dumbarton.

Cawley's arrival coincided with the re-signing of trio Steven Hetherington, Isaac Layne and Graeme Holmes and the 39-year-old hopes the return to familiar surroundings can help the Fans' favourite recapture his best form once again.

Ross told Advertiser sport: “Kevin signing here is not something based on sentimental reasons. I have been a long time admirer of his and myself and Ian Murray tried to sign him for Dumbarton when we were there. I have worked with Kevin before as well so I know exactly what he can bring to the table. He has always been someone I was aware of and I recognise the qualities he has. I also believe my coaching style and the way that I work can help him get back to producing his very best football after what has been a frustrating season for him at Dumbarton.

“Another big factor in the move is that he has a real passion for the football club and I want to build a squad of players who care for the club and want to do well for them. Kevin fits that bill and I know he is desperate to play his part in getting the club back up into the Championship. He is versatile in that he can play in a number of attacking roles and so I was very surprised at home quickly I got him. I think that speaks volumes for his affections for this club that he did not hesitate to come back.

“Graeme Holmes has joined Isaac Layne and Steve Hetherington in renewing their deals and I am delighted to have them all on board. Each of them showed a high level of performance last season so they will only be assets for us once again this year. At the moment we are almost building from scratch until such times as more of the current players sign up, but if we can get more of them over the line then my focus is to get a goalkeeper and then address the strikers situation as soon as possible. Those two positions are probably the priority.”

Ross was quick to lay out his side's intentions for promotion this season as the Clackmannanshire outfit look to bounce straight back up to the SPFL Championship, but admits he has been frustrated in the transfer market so far as he looks to move quickly in building his squad for the challenge.

He said: “My aim is certainly to go for promotion this season and I am looking to build a squad with that aim in mind. That is the message the players will be getting from early on in pre-season. If we end up having to replace the whole squad then that will make life remarkably tougher for us to achieve that. I think the ones who we have signed already will be assets in League One and hopefully as more sign then it will trigger a few others to commit or attract some of our other targets to join up.

“It has been hectic and frustrating at the same time already for me, but I will keep plugging away. I would prefer to get the majority of my business in the transfer window done as early as possible. I am striving to try to keep the majority of the squad while searching for new blood. A few of the players have said they would like to keep their options open for the moment, which I understand, but while I will not set them any deadlines to decide, if a player of a similar standard comes up in the meantime then I will not hesistate to sign them.

“The players understand that though because it is just the nature of things at this time of the year. I have been very upfront with them in that regard, but we still remain hopeful of retaining the majority of them.”

The former St Mirren and Clyde star had sympathy to see fellow Championship strugglers relegated in the playoffs last weekend, but has no doubt they will provide stern opposition for them in League 1 again next term.

The Wasps boss also revealed his delight in tying up coaching duo Paddy Connolly and Lee Sharp to new deals for the season ahead.

Ross added: “The playoffs are always very tricky to navigate and don't tend to follow any logic, so I do feel for Livingston. It will be interesting to see how they approach next season whether they remain full time. If they do then that is obviously a huge advantage for them in League One as we have seen with the likes of Queen of the South and Dunfermline. We competed well with them last season and if that is the case then it is just another challenge for us to overcome.

“Paddy Connolly and Lee Sharp have agreed to stay on. Lee came in last year and thoroughly enjoyed it so is looking forward to getting started again. Paddy was here when I got here, but the help he has given me since my arrival, I really can't speak highly enough of him. The support and loyalty of him is something I admire. I am pleased with my staff now, but I may look to appoint a goalkeeping coach.”