Ayr boss Mark Kerr insists his summer signing spree is far from over – as he prepares to get his squad back to work.
United’s players will make their long-awaited return from cold storage next week as pre-season training begins.
And Kerr, who has already brought in four new faces, admits there will be more to come.
Last week’s signings of Tom Walsh and Michael Miller added to fellow new boys Paddy Reading and Dario Zanatta.
And Kerr told the Ayrshire Post: “I’m delighted with what we’ve done so far but I’m also realistic that there’s a lot of work to do.
“Things look good on paper just now but I’ve been in the game long enough to know it’s about far more than that.
“The game isn’t played on paper so we need to get the new boys in and get the squad to gel quickly.”
A new keeper and a striker remain top priorities but Kerr hasn’t ruled out adding one or two more on top of that.
He said: “It’s about getting a shape of squad that will be competitive.
“The business we’ve done so far has been good in that respect and just getting the boys back after so long away will be a huge step forward.”
Kerr, meanwhile, admits Monday’s Betfred Cup draw was a big milestone.
Ayr were placed in Group F alongside Hamilton, Stranraer, Annan and Albion Rovers, setting up a clash with former boss Brian Reid.
Kerr said: “It’s just a relief to be thinking about games of football again.
“Watching the draw and seeing our name come out of the hat was great.
“Planning your next fixtures was something you took for granted so it’s nice just to have that back.
“We know that things can’t be back to normal yet.
“But it’s fantastic to actually be focusing on the football side of things again.”
Keeper Ellis Hare-Reid has penned a new deal with the club.
