PETER GRANT has reiterated his determination to not recruit "jersey fillers" – but has promised work is being done to bolster his Alloa squad.

The Wasps boss has wasted little time in adding to his ranks with highly rated Sunderland youngster Lee Connelly arriving on a loan until the end of the season last week.

The teenager's arrival came hot on the heels of the welcome news Kevin O'Hara, who has excelled in Clacks and found the net twice in his last three outings, had penned an extension on his own deal.

Advertiser Sport understands Grant is continuing his pursuit in the loan market and hopes to bring in at least one player from the Premiership before the end of the transfer window.

"We're hopeful a couple will happen but it's not in the laps of us and instead in the laps of other clubs, some who want us to wait until the last minute," Grant told Advertiser Sport.

"There are some we thought we had done but then because there is a change in manager they then become part of the plans.

"People don't understand when you are brining players in, particularly from England, that you can be paying £500 or so on wages but then you also have to take into account their travel expenses, hotel expenses, and you only get to seem them on a Thursday before a game.

"That's fine and it happens but it's a lot of expense for us so it's not as easy. People are willing to give (us players) but it is just not possible for us to pay the same as teams in the Premiership.

"We have to do things a different way and deal with different circumstances.

"I will not be bringing jersey fillers in who will take a wage and not have any impact."

Any business the Wasps can do, however, will be conducted in the face of tough competition from their relegation rivals, who are all tipped to bolster their squads.

Partick Thistle, who remain just four points above Alloa having played a game more, are set to bring in Zak Rudden from Rangers, Hamilton Accies' captain Darian MacKinnon, and Ross County striker Brian Graham.

But, in Scotland youth internationalist Connelly, who Wasps fans will hope has the same impact as last season's Sunderland loanee Connor Shields, Grant is confident he has secured a player who can bring a spark to the Recs.

"He's got something different and he carries the ball well," Grant said of the 20-year-old. "He's a forward player who can play in any position and be a bit more direct."