BRIAN RICE said he was confident of the squad he was building, as preparation got underway at the Recs for the upcoming season.

Alloa have been quick off the mark since the transfer window began, signing 7 new players and making David Devine's loan spell permanent.

Looking ahead to this season, Rice told Advertiser Sport that he had to make the transfer window count to build up the squad following several departures.

He said: "I feel refreshed, ready to go – had to change the squad up a bit. We lost 11 players last season – three lads went on to full time clubs [MacIver, Stanger, Church].

"I wanted to keep the three lads that went on but it's a great thing for the boys. That's my goal: put a team on the pitch, improve them and see if I can get them full time and then replace them.

"That's what we're trying to do at the minute."

Ross MacIver and Daniel Church signed for League One teams Falkirk and Queen of the South, respectively, whilst George Stanger made the step up to Championship side Ayr United.

Rice has already made eight signings since the window opened, including bring back midfielder Steven Hetherington and goalkeeper PJ Morrison.

"I've signed eight at the minute," Rice added. "One or two faces have been here before – Stevie Hetherington obviously is a favourite here, he'll give us some extra strength in the middle of the pitch.

"P.J. Morrison in goals, who I brought in when I first came here before he went to Falkirk last season. David Devine has signed permanently, we saw towards the end of the season when he got playing just how good a player he is.

"David McKay is someone I'm a big admirer of and Morgyn Neil is another centre half that I'm delighted to bring in.

"In the middle of the park, I've brought in Miko Virtanen who I worked with at Hamilton – he's a good lad, strong energy.

"I've brought in Kurtis Roberts who is a player I've admired for a long time and I've tried to get him in at two or three clubs but we've finally got the deal done.

"I'm still looking to bring two or three in – a striker too but they're the hardest ones to get.

"It never stops – we need to put a squad together, we've got some of the academy boys coming through and some young lads in training with us.

"I'm really looking forward to the new squad and the new season."

Alloa's first game comes with Kevin Cawley's testimonial this Saturday before embarking on a pre-season friendly tour.

The Wasps will begin their competitive season in their League Cup group, which sees them up against Stirling Albion, St Johnstone, Ayr and Stenhousemuir.

"It's always a tough group," Rice added. "We've a League One team, we're always going to be up against a Premiership team and a Championship team.

"It comes really early in the pre-season. We want to do really well in it, it's a tough group. We won't have a full squad available, they'll be one or two boys away.

"It gives an opportunity for one or two boys to stake a claim early. It's competitive games and I'd rather play competitive games than keep playing friendly after friendly.

"It's going to be a challenge for us but it's one I'm looking forward to."