Alloa Athletic have confirmed the signing of Southend United striker Isaac Layne, subject to international clearance.

The Wasps boss Barry Smith is now hopeful they can cut through the red tape of his registration, in time for the 19-year-old forward to be included in his match day squad as they host Raith Rovers at the Indodrill Stadium on Saturday.

Layne joins the club on a permanent deal until the end of the season and the manager is hopeful he can learn from the talented forwards already at the club and make his mark in the Wee County.

Smith told Advertiser sport: “We are still waiting on clearance that would allow us to register him for the Raith game, but these things take time and we will just have to wait and see. I am thrilled with the signing and delighted to bring in a much needed fight for places to the forward area. I feel that our attackers have done extremely well, but we just need more competition to keep them on their toes. We are delighted to sign Isaac and we hope he can make a big impact at the club. The boys have done well this season and the competition will be good for them too. But it will be great for Isaac to work alongside the likes of Liam Buchanan, who has been in the game for a long time, and obviously Greig Spence has been at big clubs as well. That competition gets the best out of players and the best players like it because it brings the best out of them.” Advertiser sport understands that new head scout Lee Edben is also currently in talks with an English Premiership side about the possibility of bringing in a player on loan.

The young English teenager’s arrival is the club’s first of the January transfer window, but the gaffer admits he is still looking to add more new faces in the coming week and is edging closer to another signing.

Smith said: “I am looking to bring in one or two more signings if I can and we are speaking to players all the time. We will know more about that at the start of next week.” Layne’s inclusion would be a timely boost to the squad for Smith as he prepares to take on Grant Murray’s men in a vital SPFL Championship clash this weekend, as he confirmed that there is still doubts about three of his squad for the game.

He added: “The majority of the squad is fit, but the game will come too soon for Iain Flannigan and Adam Asghar has had a setback with his broken foot so he will be out a little longer. John Gibson has been out injured in recent weeks, but he has had two weeks training now and it is just a case of building up his fitness now.”