Alloa boss Barry Smith has warned his players not to get caught up in the local derby hype and focus on winning the tie after being paired with bitter rivals Stirling Albion in the League Cup First Round.

The 40-year-old Wasps manager has been impressed by the summer business conducted by Albion but is confident he too has added well to an already talented squad and hopes their experience will be enough to see them through.

Barry told Advertiser sport, “It is a great draw for the supporters with it being Stirling and a local derby so early on in the season and it is one the players should look forward to also.

"Greig McDonald has made some good signings through the summer but we think that we have too.

"Now we will just look forward to the game and make sure we are well prepared so that it is our name in the hat for the next round. We know it is not going to be easy though with it being a cup tie and a derby.

"As players you have to handle these types of occasions no matter who the opposition is and to be fair I think the majority of our boys should be able to just play their own game regardless.

"It is about doing their job on the pitch and not getting caught up in the atmosphere and I am confident my players are experienced enough to go and play the way we know they can.

"We have to treat it the same as every other game. There is no point in looking into the derby side of it too much from a players point of view. We will just focus on the job of winning a football match first and foremost.” The tie set for Recreation Park on August 2, will be the second cup clash in two seasons between the Wasps and the Binos after a 3-2 win for the Clackmannanshire outfit last season in the Scottish Cup.

Smith reckons that result proves his side will not get it all their own way despite being a league above their opponents.

He explained, “I would expect it to be a close game. You just have to look at the hard-fought win over them in the Scottish Cup last year but we will take that again this time to get through to the next round.

"It is great for the fans of both clubs and I am sure it will be a big crowd for the match but the players just have to concentrate on the job at hand and that is making sure we get through.” The tie will mark a special day for new signing David Weatherston, who joined Alloa from the Binos this summer - but his new gaffer is only concerned that he is fit enough to play in the tie.

Smith added, “It would be good for David to come into the fold and maybe get a game against his old team but we will have to wait and see.

"I am sure he will still be highly thought of at Stirling after gaining promotion with them last season and I know he will do a good job for us this season.”