ALLOA could kick off the 2019-20 season in a meeting with local rivals Stirling Albion as the draw for the Betfred Cup was made at Hampden yesterday.

The Wasps were also drawn beside Premiership powerhouses Hibernian, Championship new boys and fellow part-timers Arbroath, and League Two Elgin City in Group C.

Alloa faced their local rivals in last year's Irn-Bru Cup, brushing aside Dave Mackay's men 3-1 at the Indodrill Stadium thanks to a Kevin Cawley brace and Iain Flannigan strike.

And they last locked with Edinburgh side Hibernian in the 2017-18 edition of the Betfred Cup – losing 3-0 – and have lost all but two of the last ten meetings between the sides.

Alloa finished third in their group in last season's competition, narrowly missing out on a place in the knockout round to Arbroath.

Ross County, who won the Scottish Championship, finished top of the group with Dundee United and Elgin bottom of the pile.

The full group stage fixture list, including TV selections, will be confirmed in the near future, and ties will be played from the weekend of July 13-14 onwards.

At the Recs, speculation is rife about manager Jim Goodwin's possible departure for Dundee, with some reports suggesting he will be offered the job this week.

But, that hasn't stopped the Irishman from making moves to prepare his squad in their bid to build on their second tier survival.

Every member of last season's first team squad who was offered a deal has signed on for another year in the Wee County with Jordan Kirkpatrick the only exception.

The fans' favourite only returned to the Wee County in January when he put pen-to-paper on an 18 month deal.

But he has decided to cut that short and move to League One outfit Forfar Athletic and it is believed Jim Weir's side were able to outbid Alloa for his services.

As things stand, the Wasps have 13 first team players signed up for next season but the club is expected to be busy as they plug the gaps left by a number of departed loanees.

No less so than Hearts winger Dario Zanatta, who sparkled during his time at the Recs, and Aberdeen youngster Sam Roscoe.

Goodwin has already made known his intent to sign a striker and it is understood he has drawn up a list of possible additions.