Alloa boss Barry Smith says there is still time for his players to nail down a spot in his starting eleven before the competitive action resumes in just under two weeks time.

The Wasps boss was pleased to see his side gain yet more vital minutes under their belt in an undefeated run through the Oban Tournament that saw them finish as runners-up on goal difference last weekend. And he now hopes his players will step up their efforts in their next two friendlies with jerseys still up for grabs.

Smith told Advertiser Sport, “We still have two friendlies and the Petrofac Training Cup game where the players can perform for a place in the starting eleven for the League Cup game. It is great to seeing them fighting for places and that competition is exactly what we need for the season ahead. It has been a brilliant weekend for us and it is a great tournament for the boys to get minutes under their belts. It is a long slog overall but it makes them show character and fight for each other as a team because they have to play a lot of minutes. They are on and off the park, they have to always be switched on and focus on their concentration levels so from that respect it’s a good workout. You could see our competitive edge out there and I actually think the Hamilton game was our best performance. We were disciplined in our shape and it was a good test. Hamilton are now in the Premiership and had a strong team with them but we showed if we can stay disciplined then we can be very difficult to break down.” Smith has been impressed with the fitness of his squad ahead of their glamour friendly with English League Two side Northampton Town this week and says they will now work on tactical elements to their play. The gaffer is also excited to meet the challenge of their physical English opponents at Recreation Park on Thursday evening but believes his men are up to the task.

He said, “The players have worked really hard at their fitness and I am really pleased with how they are looking. We will do a bit more work on our shape in the coming weeks now. Northampton will be a tough test because they are a big strong English side but it is a game we look forward to. The boys will have to react well to their threat and then go about what we want to do in the right manner.” The 40-year old former Dundee boss is still desperately trying to add more quality to the squad but revealed he has been impressed with some of the recent triallists at the club.

Smith added, “I am still trying to add to the squad all the time. We had one addition triallist in Oban with us and I thought he did really well. I have been impressed by a few of the players we have had in on trial but there are other players we want to have a look at as well.”