Alloa new boy Phil Roberts admits he was relieved to get back to playing football after a traumatic few weeks following the premature birth of his son Arlo.

The talented forward was delighted to make his Wasps debut in the 1-0 loss at Queen of the South and hopes he can make a big impact during his time in Clackmannanshire.

The on-loan Dundee man also paid tribute to new gaffer Barry Smith for allowing him personal time to be at the side of his partner back in his native London after their child was born five weeks premature – and now he can’t wait to repay him on the pitch.

Roberts said: “I was delighted to finally make my Alloa debut and I think the team played well in the match. The last week or so has been tough for me having to balance whether to come back and play or to stay there with my family.

“Thankfully both my son and my partner are doing well now, but it is just the distance for me and being so far away from them. The gaffer has been great with me and has helped me focus on my football and that’s what I am here to do.

“It is a nice distraction when I get on the pitch, but I am still going to go back as much as I can until he gets out the hospital. Arlow only weighs three pounds and is still in the incubator, but he is perfectly healthy, and we now just have to wait until he is bigger before he can get out.

“I am pleased to be able to focus on my football and I am here to do my best for Alloa. I am happy just to be back playing football again now and in a team that trusts me with the ball.” Roberts says he has no idea why it hasn’t worked out for him at Dens Park so far, but insists it is not down to a fall out with former Wasps boss Paul Hartley and hopes a fruitful spell at the Indodrill Stadium can catch his manager’s eye for next season.

The former Arsenal trainee has had a number of controversial moments in his young career so far, but sees the move to Alloa as a chance to make the headlines purely with his performances on the pitch.

He said: “It has been easy for me to settle in quickly here because the lads have been great with me. I am definitely coming here with a point to prove, but only to myself.

“It seems like I have had a point to prove everywhere I have been for the last couple of years, but I am older now and I feel like I have played a lot of games for my age, especially here in Scotland.

“I am still only 20 and I just want focus on my football now because I know I have talent and so I am desperate just to win games for Alloa. It hasn’t worked out at Dundee so far for whatever reason, but I haven’t fell out with the manager as people seem to assume.

“I would love to do well for Alloa this year and then force my way back into the fold at Dundee for next year.” The former Falkirk forward believes the Wasps have too much talent at the club to be involved in the relegation battle at the bottom of the SPFL Championship and he is determined to do his bit to help them steer clear.

Roberts added: “None of us want to be still here at the end of May. I want to be able to go back home to London and spend time with my family knowing I have done my bit to get Alloa clear of the relegation zone. So hopefully we can win as many games as we can.

“As a team, with the performance we have just put in against fourth place, then I don’t think we have any major worries in that respect.

“I thought we put in a decent team performance against Queens, a couple of slip ups that have cost us, but I don’t think we should have lost the game.”