JIM GOODWIN is in the process of assembling a deadly strike force as he takes aim at Alloa's Championship rivals next season.

The Wasps gaffer was quick to snap up Alan Trouten from Albion Rovers last month before then luring Greig Spence back to Clacks for his fourth spell at the club.

Trouten notched close to 30 goals in the 2016-17 campaign, while fan favourite Spence was a regular name on the scoresheet for Raith Rovers.

The two forming the vanguard of the Alloa attack is proving a tantalising prospect for the manager who this week also brought in David Galt from Queen's Park and Adam Brown from Airdrieonians.

Goodwin also said he was looking at recruiting another striker to ensure the Wasps won't lack in firepower this coming season.

He told Advertiser Sport: "Greig is well known and well liked around here. But the bottom line is he scores goals. He's done that wherever he has been and his record for us has been incredible.

"He has nothing to prove coming here; we all know how good a striker he is.

"Alan Trouten showed how good he was last year; he's very difficult to mark, and is always making late runs into the box.

"If he can get half the goals for us that he got last year then we'll be over the moon.

"We're hoping to the two will compliment each other very well, but we're always working behind the scenes to see who else we can bring in."

A number of players have already left the club, leaving a good few gaps for the manager to fill ahead of the season opener on July 14.

Alloa were drawn against Ross County, Dundee United, Arbroath and Elgin City in the Scottish League Cup – which will provide a sound testing ground for Goodwin's new-look side.

The league campaign kicks off a few weeks later in what will be a highly-competitive 10 months.

Goodwin continued: "Next season will be more difficult for us; it will be a much tougher division.

"The players we have brought in are all good footballers, but what's more is they are all incredibly fit. Which will be important.

"In the Championship we know there will be times where we don't have the ball and we'll be asking the lads to do a lot of chasing, do it's crucial we have these players in."

The gaffer added: "There's still more we need to do. I'm looking at getting a centre half, a left back, a central midfielder and possibly another striker. That's four key positions we need to strengthen.

"It's vital that we have competition for places, because we can't have anyone thinking they are guaranteed a place in the team."

Goodwin has been preparing for Alloa's return to the second tier for the last few weeks, having recently turned down the chance to speak to St Mirren about their vacant manager's position.

But the Irishman insists he is not ready to move on just yet as he casts an eye on keeping the Wasps in the Championship.

He said: "To be clear, I wasn't offered the job by St Mirren, I was just offered the chance to take part in the interview process. But it wasn't something that I was seriously considering to be honest.

"I spoke to the chairman here and he had granted me permission to speak with St Mirren. But I've already been involved in too many things behind the scenes at Alloa over pre-season to just then down tools and leave.

"I've still got a lot of work to do here and I'm happy to be here. My aim would be to go full time at some point by the time just isn't right just now.

"I'm not in any rush. Mr Mulraney gave me the opportunity to manage the club and I want to repay that faith."