ALLOA manager Barry Ferguson said that he wants a sore head when it comes to team selection as a reshuffled starting line-up triumphed over Cowdenbeath.

The Wasps visited Central Park for the second round of the Scottish Challenge Cup where they comfortably beat the hosts 2-0 with goals from Steven Boyd and Stefan Scougall.

The starting line-up had several changes from the previous game against Queens Park as players returning from injury and self-isolation gave Ferguson the squad depth and choice he has longed for since he took over the managerial reins at Alloa.

Ferguson said: "We are starting now to get competition for places and that's what I want; I don't want people knowing or basically thinking they're going to be in the starting XI.

"I want people to work hard on the training ground and play well and then fighting to get into the team. It's good to get guys back."

The starting XI against Cowdenbeath had four changes of personnel from the team that drew 1-1 with Queens Park in their previous game as Fernandy Mendy, Daniel Church, Alan Trouten and Adam King made their way back into the squad.

Players like Kevin Cawley and Trouten have both had a stop-start beginning to the season due to injury but are now being reintroduced into starting the team.

Ferguson said: "There is real strong competition and that's what I want as a manager, I want a sore head on a Friday deciding what team to pick."

He continued: "Consistency, having a squad I can go pick from, that was the first time I had 17 players available. Last night I had to make decisions."

Even with several players returning to the team a couple were still unavailable for Ferguson at the weekend as Scott Taggart was isolating and new singing Euan Henderson is cup tied.

Speaking about the players unavailable to him Ferguson added: "Taggart is a big player for us and obviously Euan Henderson coming in from Hearts so that's a strong 19 that are going to fight to get into my starting XI and that's what I want.

"I've not had that all season and now I will have big decision to make on a Saturday and that's what I want."

Talking about his squad selection against Cowdenbeath Ferguson said that he felt overall the squad were very strong and is hoping that both Taggart and Henderson will be available for Alloa's next league game against Falkirk on Saturday.