ALLOA could snap up some emerging talent from English academy teams as the loan market beckons again for Jim Goodwin.

The Wasps manager insists the Indodrill Stadium is an ideal stage for young talent to prosper and hopes to follow up on last year’s successful captures.

Furthermore, he has been casting the net out a little further this time around as he eyes up loans from academy sides down south.

He told Advertiser Sport: “The loan market definitely served us well last season, so we’ll be dipping in again and maybe even expanding upon it a bit this season.

“I still have some really good contacts down in England and at the moment I’m trying to convince some academy directors to think about sending some of their boys up here.

“I think we’ve already proven that we are a great club to develop young talent. We get the ball down and play and I think most people can see that.

“It’s getting to the stage now where clubs are calling me to offer players on loan, instead of me having to chase anyone.”

Alloa benefitted from having the likes of PJ Crossan and Callum Crane on loan for the whole of last season, while Jamie McCart, Ross Stewart, Jordan Kirkpatrick and Callum Smith joined in the winter.

All made a telling contribution in the Wasps’ successful promotion charge, before leaving better players with a wealth of experience.

Goodwin feels his track record of developing talent will give academy directors greater confidence in sending players north of the border.

He added: “This is a good place for young players to come and play regular first team senior football at a good standard. Playing reserve games at 19-20 is no good for anyone.

“Some academies may not have been keen to loan us players for League One, but playing in the Championship will be a different thing altogether.

“It’s a win-win for everyone: They get the experience of being testing at a good level, while we get a player we wouldn’t normally be able to afford.

“We also have the benefit of being part time, which means the players themselves will still be able to stay with their parent club through the week and come up here for Thursday training and the game at the weekend.

“I think some managers would be keen for that too so they can keep an eye on them and still taking part in their training.”

Hopes of bringing some of last year’s loan stars may prove a little difficult, however, as full-time clubs continue with their own summer recruitment.

The prospect of luring Jordan Kirkpatrick or Ross Stewart back to Clacks will also depend on Alan Stubbs who recently took up the reins with the Paisley side.

Meanwhile, Callum Crane has been signed by top flight new boys Livingston, while Jamie McCart has offers from other Championship clubs.

Goodwin will also have be cautions with pending loans due to a recent format change implemented by officials.

He said: “The SPFL have changed the rules for loans this season. Last time we were able to have four development loans and four standard loans – at one point we had six loan players in.

“But this year it’ll be four loan players across the board, so we’ll need to be careful about who we bring in and when.

“For now, we’re speaking to three clubs about loaning players in and they would be very good loans if we could pull them off. But there’s no guarantee at the minute.”