Alloa boss Danny Lennon is delighted with the progress of his squad as they enter the final week of their pre-season preparations.

The Wasps start their competitive campaign in the first round of the Petrofac Cup with a long road trip to face Highland League side Brora Rangers, but the gaffer believes last weekend’s 2-0 win over fellow highlanders Keith as well as the upcoming tour matches against Inverurie Locos and Huntly will be the perfect dress rehearsal for his new-look side.

Lennon told Advertiser sport: “The one positive about these pre-season games and then the three away games in a row is that it is an opportunity for the players to gel and get to know one and others strengths. While I don’t think we can read too much into the result itself, there were a lot of positive aspects to the 2-0 win over Keith.

“Over the piece, it was a very worthwhile exercise and despite being so dominant in the game, I thought we handled it very well. The biggest thing was that we got a number of players through 90 minutes who really needed it and they came through that unscathed so that was very pleasing.

“It also gave me closer look at two new trialists in Fabio Orlando, who only arrived the night before the game, and Henri Shiba as well so it was great to finally see them in action and they will be joining us for our highland tour this weekend.

“I was thrilled to see Eddie Ferns showing me what he can do and I think the creative movement between him and Omar Kader was excellent for getting beyond the defenders and causing problems. The cup draws haven’t been kind to us in terms of geography, but I think the time on the road will be good for the players to get to know each other.

“Brora will be a tough test because they only narrowly missed out on a place in the league with defeat to Montrose, but we should be well prepared after our Highland trip this weekend.” Lennon has been impressed by how quickly his new squad have adapted to his style of play and believes that is down to them having the right blend of talent at the club.

He said: “We aren’t fortunate enough to work with the players everyday on getting our message across, but I think they have picked up our instructions really well so far in the short time we have had with the squad.

“Obviously, that will be an ongoing problem of facing full time teams most weeks who can do that, but the way we work is that we will put a game plan in place before the first session and have two nights to perfect it. We will go into every single game well prepared and looking to compete.

“We are a new side with a lot of young and ambitious players, but we also have a nucleus of experienced players such as Dougie Hill, Graeme Holmes and Burton O’Brien so I think the balance of the side is bang on.

“I think if you compare us to the side of last year, we are certainly a more physical side this year and we have added a lot of pace with three or four of the players so we are happy with the way things are coming along.” The former St Mirren boss reckons the new strength and depth of his squad will be both the best thing for his squad in terms of competition for places, but the biggest challenge for him to keep them all happy.

Lennon added: “We have a good depth to the squad and that is going to be our most difficult challenge to keep all of the players happy. It is a great thing for the team to have healthy competition, but I also want players to be playing for each other.

“That is the only way to get the best out of one another and by having two players for each position we certainly have that, but everyone of these players will have a part to play throughout the season whether it is due to injuries, suspensions or a loss of form.”