Arbroath get their first taste of action tonight when they travel to Alloa, with manager Dick Campbell convinced that the squad he has now is better than the one that won the League Two title back in May.
Campbell said: “We have brought five players in and I believe they have strengthened the group. As we are facing a team that we are in the same league as us then we will get a strong indication if that belief is correct.
“It is a game that I am really looking forward to and it is a group I am really looking forward to being in. No-one will give us a chance of getting through as there are two Premiership sides in it but that will not put me off.
“If we can win at Alloa then things could grow from there.”
Gavin Swankie who was a summer capture from Forfar will miss out as he is on honeymoon. Everyone else is available.
“That was all known about before we signed Gavin,” said Campbell. “Whoever comes in will have the chance to grab a starting jersey for the rest of the season.
“Alloa will have been disappointed at getting off to a losing start at Ross County and be out to make up for that.
“It is the start of a new season and I am looking forward to seeing how we get on.”